Andhra Pradesh HC grants interim bail to TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), N. Chandrababu Naidu, has been granted a temporary release for four weeks by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in the ongoing skill development case. This decision comes after Naidu”s arrest on September 9 on charges of alleged financial misappropriation within the Skill Development Corporation, resulting in a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state”s finances.
According to High Court Advocate Sunkara Krishnamurthy, “The Andhra Pradesh High Court has provided interim bail to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu for a period of four weeks in the skill development case.”
Following the High Court”s decision to reserve judgment on his bail petition due to concerns about his deteriorating health, Naidu has now been granted temporary bail until November 24. The High Court, in its directive, has stipulated that Naidu must surrender on November 24, during which time he is not permitted to engage in any activities except seeking medical treatment. Additionally, he is prohibited from using or discussing matters on the phone, participating in political activities, or engaging with the media.
Sources within the TDP have indicated that it may take a day or two to complete all the necessary formalities before Naidu is released from detention. Once released, he is expected to return to his home in Hyderabad for a brief period of rest before resuming his public engagements.
Concerns have been raised by Naidu”s wife, Bhuvaneswari, and his son, Lokesh, regarding his health. They have attributed his declining health and aggravated skin infection to the hot and humid conditions in his jail cell.
During Naidu”s absence, his wife Bhuvaneswari initiated a bus tour to demand justice, while his son Lokesh temporarily suspended his popular Yuva Galam padayatra, with plans to resume it soon.
As Naidu remains in custody, he decided not to contest the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections, leading to the resignation of the state TDP chief, Kasani Gyaneswar Mudiraj, in protest. The legal challenges have also caused a halt in TDP activities in Andhra Pradesh.
On a note, the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed an additional case against Naidu on Monday. This case alleges that Naidu and his government granted unlawful permissions to liquor companies. Naidu is named as the third accused in the FIR, which was filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complaint was submitted by D. Vasudeva Reddy, the Commissioner of AP Beverages Corporation, and former minister Kollu Ravindra. The FIR contends that Naidu and others caused a loss of Rs 1,300 crore to the state by waiving fees payable by bars in 2016.
Since his arrest on September 9 in connection with the alleged skill development corporation scam, Naidu has been in judicial custody at the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison.
