In a sensational judgment, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) said today that the appointment of Mr Aravinda Rao as the DGP of AP was invalid and struck down his appointment.

Delivering its verdict on a petition filed by Mr Gautham Kumar, Principle Secretary, home department, the CAT asked the AP government to appoint a new DGP on or before June 9, 2011 and said Aravinda Rao can continue  in his position till that date.

Finding fault with the government on the appointment of Aravinda Rao as the DGP, the CAT said that the government has thrown to the winds the principle of seniority in the appointment of DGPs and said even the promotions given to some IPS officers as Additional DGPs in May 2010 were also not valid.