Chandrababu Naidu Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody In Skill Development Scam Case

A Vijayawada Anti-Corruption Bureau court on Sunday sent TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with an alleged skill development scam, news agency PTI reported. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam case, citing alleged non-cooperation during questioning and vague responses from the former Chief Minister, as per PTI.

Earlier today, Naidu was brought before an Anti-Corruption Bureau court in Vijayawada under heavy security measures, following his arrest in a case involving allegations of corruption.

The remand report, seeking his judicial custody, stated that despite arrangements being made for him to travel to Vijayawada from Nandyal via helicopter, Naidu declined the offer, PTI reported. Additionally, the convoy en route to the court faced multiple obstructions from TDP party members, raising concerns of potential intimidation of law enforcement officials due to his political stature.

Chandrababu Naidu Non-Cooperative And Replied Vaguely: CID Report
During questioning, Naidu was presented with queries based on note files considered as part of the evidence in the case diary. However, he reportedly remained non-cooperative and responded vaguely, claiming difficulty in recollecting pertinent facts, as per PTI. The CID report indicated that these interactions occurred in the presence of mediators, with the report drafted and duly attested by Naidu himself.

According to PTI, Further details in the CID report disclosed that after arriving at the CID office, Naidu was questioned about his alleged involvement in the offences with mediators present. The former Chief Minister was provided with breaks upon his request, including time to consult legal counsel, meet family members, and have meals and refreshments.

The CID made it clear in their report that Naidu is not considered a flight risk while alleging that both Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party were beneficiaries of misappropriated funds, PTI's report mentioned.

In this case, the CID named G Subba Rao and K Lakshminarayana, former government employees, as A1 and A2 respectively. Naidu himself has been identified as Accused 37 (A37) in this case, which centers around a multi-crore Skill Development Corporation scam, it further stated.

Naidu's arrest unfolded during a pre-dawn operation on Saturday in Nandyal, where officers approached the caravan in which he was sleeping. The CID chief, N Sanjay, stated that Naidu is considered the principal conspirator in this ongoing case.