In Andhra Pradesh, Central Administrative Tribunal has on Wednesday set aside the appointment of K. Aravinda Rao as the Director General of Police of the State and directed the State Government to start the appointment process afresh. The Hyderabad bench comprising Bharathi Ray and S. Santhanam pronounced the ruling on a petition by the State Principal Home Secretary, P. Goutham Kumar. Goutham Kumar had moved CAT last year alleging that Rao's appointment to the top post violated IPS cadre rules and questioned the promotion given to Aravinda Rao. Kumar, who belongs to the 1975 batch, contended that he was passed over when Rao was made the DGP. Rao is from the 1977 IPS batch. Stating that the state government had acted beyond its powers, the CAT directed that the selection process to appoint the new DGP should be reconducted. Aravinda Rao will continue as DGP till then.