Chandrababu Naidu, the President of the Telugu Desam Party, finds himself embroiled in a series of legal battles, the most recent being the denial of anticipatory bail in the AP FiberNet scam case. This adds to his woes, as he is already facing charges in a skill development scam in the state. Let’s delve into the intricacies of these cases and the legal proceedings surrounding them.
The AP FiberNet Scam Accusations
Chandrababu Naidu has been accused of playing a ‘key role’ in the AP FiberNet scam that unfolded during the TDP’s term in the state. The state’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) alleges that Naidu pressured officials to favor a certain company awarded the FiberNet contract, despite the company’s alleged lack of qualifications. This case was registered in 2021, and Naidu’s inclusion as an accused came after his arrest in the skill development scam case. The prosecution invoked Section 263 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to issue a transit warrant, citing challenges in examining witnesses and suspected conspirators through digital means. However, Naidu contends that these actions are politically motivated.
High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail
The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently denied Naidu’s plea for anticipatory bail in the AP FiberNet scam case. The court emphasized that complex offenses like these naturally require time for investigation. Justice K. Suresh Reddy noted that the evidence, especially the testimony of a key witness, did not support claims of biased timing. He stressed the need to consider public interest when deciding on bail, rather than merely focusing on the prescribed penalties for the offense. Justice Reddy asserted that the gravity of the alleged offense, which caused a pecuniary advantage of approximately Rs. 114.53 crores to one party and a consequential loss to the state exchequer, warranted Naidu’s non-grant of anticipatory bail, especially since the money trail is yet to be investigated.
The Skill Development Scam
In addition to the AP FiberNet scam, Chandrababu Naidu is facing accusations in a skill development scam in Andhra Pradesh. The state’s Crime Investigation Department has evidence suggesting Naidu’s involvement in the alleged embezzlement of around Rs. 371 crore from the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation through fictitious companies during the TDP’s rule from 2014 to 2019. Naidu is the 37th accused in a 2021 FIR related to this multi-crore scam. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Legal Battles Continue
Naidu’s legal woes don’t end there. Last month, the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed his plea to quash the FIR, arguing that the CID had failed to obtain prior approval from the governor as required by the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, the court ruled that such approval wasn’t necessary for the investigation since the alleged misuse of public funds for personal gain didn’t fall within the scope of official duties. The court also emphasized the need for an unhindered investigation given the seriousness of economic offenses, especially at this early stage. Moreover, the Supreme Court is currently hearing a special leave petition against this order.
Chandrababu Naidu’s legal battles have taken a significant turn, with the denial of anticipatory bail in the AP FiberNet scam case and ongoing accusations in the skill development scam. As these cases unfold, they have profound implications for Naidu’s political career and the legal landscape in Andhra Pradesh.
