Skill Development Scam: No Interim Bail For Chandrababu Naidu, SC To Hear Plea On October 9

The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied providing interim relief on a plea filed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently imprisoned due to his alleged involvement in the Skill Development Corporation fraud case.

The case has been adjourned to October 9 by a bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi, and Aniruddha Bose.

Meanwhile, the bench requested the state government to present all documents submitted to the Andhra Pradesh High Court for review.

Harish Salve, a senior lawyer representing the TDP Chief, stated that any investigation into Naidu could not have taken place without the state Governor's approval.

He argued that Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which prohibits police from investigating a public servant without prior approval, was established to thwart misuse of the criminal process.

Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that any investigation into claims, where the supposed crime is linked to any advice given or verdict taken by the public servant, necessitates prior approval.

During the last hearing on September 27, Supreme Court Justice S.V. Bhatti had excused himself from the case's proceedings.

On the same day, a panel led by Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, did not issue any orders for an immediate hearing on Naidu's appeal by an alternate panel, nor did they provide him interim relief.

Senior lawyer Sidharth Luthra argued that the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was being targeted with consecutive FIRs due to the impending 2024 general elections.

Naidu has filed a Special Leave Petition with the Supreme Court following the dismissal of his appeal by Justice S. Reddy of Andhra Pradesh High Court on September 22. His appeal sought to nullify the FIR against him and to overrule his judicial detention.