The Government today filed an affidavit in the Central Administrative Tribunal in response to a plea filed by Reddy, stating it would not extend his tenure by one more year in view of the ongoing CBI investigation into his assets.
In his plea before the Tribunal, Reddy had sought direction to the Centre and AP Government to retain him in the post till September 2014, citing a Supreme Court ruling.
Rao, a non-controversial officer, is currently Director General (Anti-Corruption Bureau). The 1979-batch IPS officer previously served as Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of AP State Road Transport Corporation and Police Commissioner of Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
Though fourth in the order of seniority among his batchmates, Rao, a Dalit officer, is reportedly being backed by the Chief Minister for the top post. "It's after a gap of many years that we will have a Dalit as the top cop," Government sources said.
But Bahuguna could still fancy a chance to become the head of AP police when she returns to the State as she has service till February 2017, the sources said.
Syed Anwarul Huda, also of the 1979-batch and ranking just below Rao, too might become DGP at a later date as he reaches the age of superannuation in July 2017, they added.
"The State's bifurcation, as and when it happens, will change a lot of equations in the appointments," a top police official said.