Former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu arrested in APSSDC rip-off

On Saturday, September 9, 2023, Nandyal Police arrested former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party President, N Chandrababu Naidu, in the course of the early morning hours. N Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest pertains to his alleged involvement within the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation rip-off, the place he holds the place of ‘Accused No. 1’. He was formally served a discover concerning this matter.

In the early hours of Saturday, round 3 AM, a big police pressure led by Nandyal vary DIG Raghurami Reddy and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) descended upon Naidu’s camp, located on the RK Function Hall within the city. Naidu was resting inside his caravan at that second.

The police encountered sturdy opposition from many TDP supporters who had assembled there. Even the SPG forces liable for Naidu’s safety prevented the police from accessing him, citing laws that restricted entry to Naidu till 5:30 AM.

Ultimately, at roughly 6 AM, the police approached Naidu’s car, requested him to step out, and positioned him below arrest. DIG Raghurami Reddy knowledgeable Naidu concerning the arrest and served a discover earlier than taking him into custody. Following some preliminary resistance, Naidu was efficiently taken into custody and transferred to Vijayawada.

According to the discover issued below Section 50(1)(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the police formally notified Naidu of his arrest below a number of sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), together with 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 learn with 34 & 37, in addition to different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The discover, underscoring the non-bailable nature of the offence, explicitly said that Naidu wouldn’t be eligible for bail and should apply for bail completely by the court docket. CID Deputy Superintendent of Police M Dhanunjayudu signed it.

Upon his arrest, Chandrababu Naidu asserted that he had dedicated no wrongdoing. He mentioned, “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. I asked them the basis for my arrest and demanded proof of concept. Now they are here with an FIR which doesn’t have any mention of my role in it, or any more details. This is very sad and wrong.”

In March 2023, the Andhra Pradesh police’s Crime Investigation Department launched an investigation into an alleged ₹3,300 crore rip-off inside the AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) in the course of the earlier Telugu Desam Party authorities.

In 2016, the Telugu Desam Party authorities in Andhra Pradesh established the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) to supply coaching and employment alternatives for the unemployed youth.

The CID’s preliminary investigation unveiled a ₹3,300 crore venture signed below the APSSDC with Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd consortium. Siemens was supposed to determine six talent growth centres, with the state contributing about 10% of the venture price.

Allegedly, Siemens Industry Software India failed to take a position any of its sources and diverted roughly ₹371 crores, allotted by the state, to shell corporations like Allied Computers, Skillers India Pvt Ltd, Knowledge Podium, Cadence Partners, and ETA Greens. Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who allegedly held a key position on this case, has now been arrested as the first accused.