New Delhi, September 23, 2023 (Reuters) – Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader, N Chandrababu Naidu, has moved the Supreme Court of India to challenge the recent decision by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which dismissed his plea seeking the quashing of the First Information Report (FIR) against him in the Skill Development Corporation scam case.
Earlier today, a team from the Andhra Pradesh Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) commenced their interrogation of Chandrababu Naidu in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam. The questioning took place at the central prison in Rajamahendravaram.
In a significant development, the ACB Court in Vijayawada had granted two days of police custody for the 73-year-old Naidu to be interrogated by the CID. Additionally, the judicial remand of Chandrababu Naidu in the case related to the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation scam has been extended until September 24.
The authorized questioning hours for Naidu are from 9.30 am to 5 pm on both September 23 and September 24. The court has permitted the involvement of three deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from the Economic Offences Wing of the CID, along with six junior police officers, one professional videographer, and two official mediators in the interrogation process.
Reacting to the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s decision to dismiss Chandrababu Naidu’s FIR quash petition, TDP state president K Atchen Naidu stated that the party’s legal wing would approach the Supreme Court. He also alleged that Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had displayed a vindictive attitude toward the state’s primary opposition party.
Background on the AP Skill Development Corporation Scam Case:
The AP Skill Development Corporation scam case revolves around the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of ₹300 crore. Authorities have claimed that the alleged fraud has caused substantial losses to the state government, exceeding ₹300 crores.
The investigation conducted by the CID revealed various irregularities, including the advance of ₹371 crores by the state government to private entities before any expenditure. These funds were subsequently diverted to shell companies through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in these invoices, according to CID officials.
The CID’s remand report highlighted that the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters was sourced exclusively from funds advanced by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the AP Skill Development Center, totaling ₹371 crores.
In the wake of these developments, Chandrababu Naidu’s legal battle to clear his name continues, with the matter now before the country’s highest court.
News Summary:
- Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has challenged the FIR against him in the Skill Development Corporation scam case by moving the Supreme Court.
- The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently dismissed Naidu’s plea to quash the FIR.
- Naidu is currently under police custody for further interrogation in the case, which centers around alleged financial irregularities involving ₹300 crore.
- The investigation reveals that the government advanced ₹371 crores to private entities, which were subsequently diverted to shell companies through fake invoices.
- The case continues to draw attention, with political implications and legal battles ongoing.