Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in a case of alleged corruption in AP skill development case on Saturday morning. The former chief minister was arrested by the CID around 6 am from R K Function Hall at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town, Andhra Pradesh police said.
The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister has been arrested under relevant IPC sections, including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 465 (forgery), according to the notice. The Andhra Pradesh CID has also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act against him.
"I'm requesting both the people and the cadres, I haven't done anything wrong today. But officials came last night and without even showing any proof, they arrested me," the TDP chief told reporters after his arrest.
Stating that it is a non-bailable offence, the notice issued to Naidu said that he cannot be released on bail. "You may seek bail through court only," the notice served by CID deputy superintendent of police M Dhanunjayudu, said. The police officials further observed that this was a two-year-old case, referring to the alleged Skill Development Scam involving the misappropriation of Rs 371 crore.
Meanwhile, TDP chief's son Nara Lokesh and other party cadre members staged protests and blocked roads in the state, after Naidu's arrest.
Why was Chandrababu Naidu arrested?
TDP chief N Chadrababu Naidu was arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 550 crore fraud case involving siphoning off funds from Skill Development Corporation, AP CID Chief N Sanjay said on Saturday. Addressing reporters after Naidu’s arrest, the police official said the investigation implicated Naidu and TDP as beneficiaries of misappropriation of funds.
“The principal conspirator behind the entire scheme and who orchestrated the transfer of the public funds from government to private entities via shell companies has taken place with the act of leadership of Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu,” he said.
He possesses the exclusive knowledge of transactions leading to the issuing of government orders and MoUs from time to time which makes him the central figure of the investigation, police officials added.
45 ఏళ్ళ నా రాజకీయ జీవితం మీద మచ్చ వేయడానికి ఎన్నో కుట్రలు జరిగాయి. కానీ ఎవరివల్లా కాలేదు. ఎందుకంటే నిప్పులా బతికా. తెలుగు ప్రజల బాగు గురించి ఆలోచించడం తప్ప, నాకు మరొక ధ్యాస ఉండదు. ప్రజల గురించి పోరాడుతున్నా కాబట్టే ఈ రోజు ఈ బెదిరింపులు...అక్రమ అరెస్టులు. ఇవి ఏవీ నన్ను, నా ప్రజల… pic.twitter.com/wAbjhWQWBj
Hours after his arrest, the TDP chief said he was prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people, and no force can stop him. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Andhra Pradesh CM said, "For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland."
