Andhra Pradesh High Court Grants Bail to Chandrababu Naidu in Skill Development Scam Case

In a significant turn of events, the Andhra Pradesh High Court recently granted bail to N Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister and current Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, in connection with the alleged ₹3,300 crore Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam. This decision arrives after Naidu spent weeks on conditional medical bail, seeking treatment in Hyderabad.

The case traces its origins to March, when the Andhra Pradesh Police’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) initiated a probe into the alleged scam that purportedly occurred during Naidu's tenure as the Andhra chief minister. The investigation gained traction following statements from an accused turned approver and depositions by three IAS officers, particularly focusing on Arja Srikanth, the former CEO of APSSDC.

Naidu, arrested on September 9, faced accusations regarding the transfer of government funds amounting to Rs 371 crore to shell companies, marking him as the primary accused in the case. The FIR was lodged on December 9, 2021, leading to his arrest during a visit to Nandyal. Subsequently, he was taken into custody by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Vijayawada and held at Rajamahendravaram Central Jail.

However, the recent High Court ruling has granted Naidu regular bail, alleviating the need for his appearance before authorities on November 28. While on interim bail, he was mandated to undergo medical treatment, including a necessary cataract surgery in his right eye, and a comprehensive medical check-up, as recommended by a team of government and private doctors.

During the period of interim bail, the court imposed restrictions on Naidu, prohibiting him from engaging in any political activities or delivering speeches. However, following the recent grant of regular bail, these restrictions are set to be lifted after November 28, enabling his participation in political affairs from November 29 onwards.

This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal proceedings, providing relief to Naidu and enabling his re-entry into political engagements. As the case progresses, further developments are anticipated in this high-profile matter.