A.P. Skill Development Scam: Ex-CM Chandrababu Naidu Sent to 14 Days Judicial Custody

Former Andhra Pradesh CM and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu was sent to 14 days of judicial custody recently in connection with an alleged Skill Development Corporation scam.

The case was brought before Vijayawada ACB court Judge Himabindu. The judge ordered Naidu’s remand for 14 days to judicial custody and suggested taking the former CM to Rajahmundry central jail.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Naidu was presented before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in connection with the alleged Skill Development Corporation scam. According to officials, Naidu was brought before the court within 24 hours of his arrest.

On 9^th September (Saturday), Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an alleged corruption case. The case relates to the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated project value of Rs 3300 crore.

The agency officials also alleged that the fraud has led to a substantial loss to the state government, exceeding Rs 300 crores. According to the CID, the investigation has unveiled serious irregularities, such as the state government providing an advance of Rs 371 crores, representing the entire 10 per cent commitment by the government, before any expenditure by private entities.

CID officials asserted that most of the government’s funds were diverted to shell companies through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in the invoices. The CID’s remand report states that, based on the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters exclusively originates from funds advanced by the Government of AP and AP Skill Development Center, totaling Rs 371 crores.