Vijayawada - Former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu found himself under the custody of the Andhra Pradesh CID on Saturday, accused of involvement in an alleged Rs 371 crore scandal within the AP Skill Development Corporation. The CID warned that if the charges are substantiated in court, Naidu could potentially face a prison sentence of up to a decade.
As per the CID's investigation, in 2015, the Skill Development Corporation inked a Rs 3,300 crore contract with Siemens for the purpose of training individuals in various skills. In this agreement, it was stipulated that the state government would contribute 10% of the total amount as its share. However, Siemens allegedly failed to provide its 90% share and purportedly utilized government funds instead. Additionally, the CID contended that a portion of the funds was routed to shell companies.
According to the remand report filed by the CID, the ultimate beneficiary of this alleged wrongdoing includes the Telugu Desam Party, Naidu himself, and the then Minister for Labour and Skill Development, K. Atchennaidu.
The arrest was accompanied by considerable commotion, with numerous TDP supporters gathering at the encampment in Nandyal, and later in Vijayawada, where Naidu was taken for his court appearance. Party loyalists made efforts to obstruct the convoy during its journey.
A team of CID officials, led by DIG Kolli Raghuram Reddy, who heads the SIT, arrived at Naidu's overnight stay location in Nandyal, where they served him a notice encompassing various IPC sections, including those related to criminal conspiracy and cheating, as well as sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act related to the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Following approximately three hours of tense confrontations and discussions between law enforcement and TDP leaders at the encampment, Naidu was taken into custody. Naidu, speaking to reporters, maintained his innocence, asserting, "I have not committed any wrongdoing. They have concocted false charges against me as I am advocating for the people of the state. They haven't presented any evidence to suggest any wrongdoing on my part.