CID arrests former Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu over corruption allegations
Chandrababu Naidu arrest: CID has arrested Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam. According to TDP, Naidu was arrested in Nandyal by the CID on Saturday.
Following heavy drama after midnight, the TDP chief was arrested around 6 a.m. The TDP supporters prevented CBI officials from bringing Naidu into custody after they served an arrest warrant on him at a function hall in Nandyal late last night.
The former CM has been booked under sections 120(b), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 201, and 109, along with 34 and 37 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
He has also been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.
According to reports, Naidu was scheduled to be shifted to Nandyal Hospital for a medical examination. His medical examination, however, was conducted in a camp after he refused to go to the hospital.
Naidu was taken from Nandyal to Vijayawada through the road. Earlier, it was reported that police would take him on the flight.
Telugu Desam Party leaders and activists have been staging a protest against the arrest of N Chandrababu Naidu at the Annapurna Sarukulu Centre in Tirupati. TDP chief's son Nara Lokesh also staged a protest following his father N Chandrababu Naidu's arrest in connection with a corruption case.
In order to maintain law and order in the state, the State Police apprehended several party leaders, including Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, in East Godavari district.
N Chandrababu Naidu, who was arrested Saturday morning on allegations of corruption, claimed that the CID arrested him without proper information and refused to show him evidence.
Speaking to reporters before being taken into custody, Naidu stated, "I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information and I asked them to show the evidence but they refused to show and attached my name to the FIR without my role.”
The Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the TDP chief in connection with the alleged skill development scam. FIR in the case was lodged in 2021.
In the case, which includes around Rs 250 crore, Naidu has been listed as the accused number 1.
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- With inputs from agencies
