CID arrested former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested the former Andhra Pradesh CM earlier today. N. Chandrababu Naidu is in custody because of the alleged skill development scam. Naidu was also the chief of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
In December 2021, the CID registered an FIR naming 25 accused in the skill development scam. The FIR did not name Naidu as an accused. The CID states that Naidu’s arrest is due to details revealed during the investigation.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police from the CID, M. Dhanunjayudu, served the arrest notice to Naidu under 50(1) of the CrCP. Naidu is charged under sections 120(B), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, and 109, along with 34 and 37 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 13(1)(c) and (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Naidu was staying in a bus at an isolated campsite. CID officials, Nandyal district police, and Kurnool range DIG Raghurami Reddy, took Naidu into custody from the bus. Naidu was in the area for the ‘Babu Surety – Bhavisyathu ki Guarantee’. It is a mass contact program.
Naidu will be transferred to Vijayawada from Nandyal. Police have put several TDP leaders across the state under house arrest. It is an attempt to minimize protests and riots.
Nara Lokesh, Naidu’s son, is on a padyayatra in the East Godavari District. He was not allowed to return to Vijayawada.
Naidu claims that the police have not provided any evidence of his alleged wrongdoings. The FIR did not contain any details either. He requests that the public and politicians maintain peace.
Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Scam
Andhra Pradesh implemented the program in 2016. It focused on empowering the unemployed youth in Andhra Pradesh by providing them with skill training. The skill development scam is worth ₹3,300 crore. Proper tendering procedures were not followed.