Skill Development Scam: SC to Hear AP Govt’s Plea Challenging Naidu’s Bail on Jan 19

The Supreme Court will hear Andhra Pradesh government’s plea challenging a high court order granting regular bail to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in the skill development corporation scam case on January 19, 2024.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma adjourned the hearing after senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Naidu, requested time to file a reply to the state government’s plea.

On November 28, the Apex Court had sought a response from Naidu on the plea.

The court had also temporarily relaxed Naidu’s bail conditions, allowing him to participate in public rallies and meetings until December 8, the next date of the hearing.

Other bail conditions, including refraining from making public statements about the case, remain in force.

On November 20, the Andhra Pradesh high court had converted Naidu’s interim medical bail into absolute bail, ordering his release on regular bail, considering factors such as his age, health, and non-flight risk.

The high court maintained interim bail conditions until November 28. The state government, in its appeal to the Supreme Court, sought to set aside the high court verdict, arguing that Naidu is an influential person, and two of his key associates, including a government servant, have already fled the country.

Naidu, who recently underwent cataract surgery, was arrested on September 9 and released on interim medical bail on October 31, which was later made regular. He is accused of misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation, causing a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer.

On October 17, the Supreme Court had denied interim bail to Naidu and announced that it would pronounce a verdict on his plea challenging the high court’s refusal to quash the FIR against him in the skill development corporation scam case.