Hyderabad: TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu made a court appearance in Vijayawada under heavy security. He had been held at the SIT office overnight. The CID submitted a remand report, naming Naidu as the primary accused in the FIR.
Naidu was listed as the 37th accused in the 2021 FIR, and discussions are ongoing regarding the remand report. Senior Supreme Court advocate Sidharth Luthra is representing Naidu, while Additional Advocate General P. Sudhakar Reddy is representing the CID, which is seeking a 15-day remand for Naidu.
The TDP’s legal team successfully requested an open hearing, which was approved by the judge. Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, and other TDP leaders were present in court. Naidu was arrested in Nandyal town and brought to Vijayawada. CID officials continued to question him at the SIT office.
TDP leaders accused the police of intentionally delaying the court appearance and depriving Naidu of sleep. Around 3 a.m., Naidu was transferred to Vijayawada Government Hospital for a medical examination. After the examination, he was returned to the SIT office around 5 a.m., disappointing his family and party members who expected him to appear in court. However, an hour later, Naidu was finally brought to the ACB Court.
Tight security measures were in place around the court complex, with police removing TDP leaders who had gathered there. Naidu was arrested by the CID in connection with a Rs 331 crore Skill Development Corporation ‘scam’ that allegedly occurred between 2014 and 2018 during his tenure as Chief Minister. The CID claimed that public funds were disbursed and diverted to shell companies, with Naidu and the TDP allegedly benefiting from the scheme.