The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is presently interrogating Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with a corruption case amounting to Rs 300 crore after making an arrest. He was arrested by the CID around 6 am from R K Function Hall at Gnanapuram in Nandyala town.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Criminal Investigation Department (CID) serves arrest warrant to TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. pic.twitter.com/C2vtCJW0bi
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023
In his first reaction after the arrest, Chandrababu said, "Democracy was murdered...I have to prove it if I am wrong. In the end, righteousness wins. People and TDP workers should exercise restraint."
Naidu later tweeted saying no force on earth can stop from serving the Telugu people, Andhra Pradhesh and his motherland.
For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh and my motherland.
Posted at 6 AM, 09th September 2023 pic.twitter.com/721COYldUd— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 9, 2023
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Police detained his son Nara Lokesh in the East Godavari district. "The police stopped Lokesh, saying that he should not go to Chandrababu," the TDP alleged. Lokesh is seen protesting against his father's arrest, while party leaders claimed that Naidu's arrested is "illegal".
పొదలాడ యువగళం క్యాంప్ సైట్ వద్ద ఉద్రిక్తత.
చంద్రబాబు వద్దకు వెళ్ళకూడదు అంటూ లోకేష్ ను అడ్డుకున్న పోలీసులు.ఎలాంటి నోటీసులు లేకుండా గంట నుండి పోలీసుల హై డ్రామా...#WeWillStandWithCBNSir#G20India2023#StopIllegalArrestOfCBN#PsychoJagan #YuvaGalamPadayatra pic.twitter.com/lIul6GFDkE— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) September 9, 2023
Chandrababu Naidu's counsel said the CID has taken him for a medical check-up after high blood pressure and diabetes were detected. "We are approaching the high court for bail," the counsel said.
Meanwhile, Naidu's arrest sparked protest at the Annapurna Sarukulu centre in Tirupati. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed people raising slogans and burning a tyre in the area.
#WATCH | Telugu Desam Party leaders and activists stage a protest against the illegal arrest of former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu at the Annapurna Sarukulu centre in Tirupati. pic.twitter.com/7a9r2qaBz1
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023
Why was Naidu arrested?
According to reports, Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in connection with the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation scam.
A notice served to the former chief minister read: "It is to inform you that you have been arrested...U/s (under section) 120(B), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 r/w 34 & 37 IPC and Sec 12, 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (c) and (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998 of CID."
It said it is a non-bailable offence and so, Naidu cannot be released on bail. However, "it is further informed yo you that you may seek bail through court only", the notice read.
Illegal arrest?
As police arrived to arrest Naidu, the TDP chief questioned police' action against him "without any evidence". Since his name is not in the FIR, he demanded to tell why he is being arrested. Police reportedly informed that Naidu is the 37th accused in this scam case.
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu arrested (Credit: TDP on X)The TDP also alleged that its national president was "illegally arrested"... "while (he was) resting in a bus". TDP spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhiram said the Andhra Pradesh police and the CID started the process of "illegally arresting Chandrababu Naidu" on Friday night.
"Hundreds of policemen gathered outside the campsite of Chandrababu Naidu...They have illegally detained all the leaders who were staying at the campsite with Chandrababu Naidu...," he alleged.
"Chandrababu Naidu came out of the bus & asked a simple question 'What grounds are you arresting me?'...The police had no answer...," the spokesperson said.
He went on to call the action amid the skill development case a drama and said, "...just before the elections, they have carried out this arrest just to brand Chandrababu Naidu as some kind of a corrupt politician"
He said that the people know that it is Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, "who is the most corrupt politician in the entire country..."
Naidu has received support from some of his allies as well. RJD's Manoj Jha attacked Andhra government saying, "A new trend has started in this country where you go to extremes because you have political differences. Chandrababu Naidu is not only a former chief minister but has played a key role in the formation of modern Andhra Pradesh."
What did the CID say
CID Additional GDP N Sanjay said Naidu possesses exclusive knowledge regarding the transactions leading to the issuance of government orders and MoUs, which makes him a central figure in the investigation.
#WATCH | On the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, CID Additional DGP N.Sanjay says, "He possesses exclusive knowledge of the transactions leading to the issuance of government orders & memorandum of understanding, making him a central figure in the… pic.twitter.com/HCH7b5C6ES
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023
He said Naidu orchestrated Rs 500 crore Skill Development Corporation fraud
VIDEO | Chandrababu Naidu orchestrated Rs 550 crore Skill Development Corporation fraud, says Andhra Pradesh police.
"The conspiracy behind the entire scheme and orchestration of the transfer of public funds from government to private entities via shell companies has taken… pic.twitter.com/rd10sBHqbx— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2023
Chaos ensues
The TDP shared some visuals on its social media handle on X showing chaos at the location where Naidu was staying. The party shared a video of police "knocking" on the door of the bus where Naidu was stationed. It also alleged that, "The police did not answer the questions of the leaders and advocates."
(Credit: TDP on X)Ina series of tweets, the party asked, "Will you arrest a former chief minister without even telling why he is being arrested?" It added, "We are with you sir... The people are your fortress. We will fight. We will win."
News agency ANI also posted a video wherein Naidu is seen arguing with the police officials as he is surrounded by his security guards and supporters.
Meanwhile, TDP MLAs Gottipati Ravi and Anagani Satya Prasad were detained at Gannavaram airport.
Chandrababu knew about the arrest
Chandrababu Naidu had anticipated his arrested. During an interaction with the public at Rayadurgam in Anantapur district on September 6, the TDP supremo said, "Today or tomorrow they (YSRCP government) could arrest me. They may even attack me. Not one, they will do many atrocities.
FIR లేకుండా అరెస్ట్ ఏంటి ? మీరు ఈ తప్పు చేసారు కాబట్టి అరెస్ట్ చేస్తున్నాం అని చెప్పలేని నిస్సహాయతలో పోలీసులు ఉన్నారు. సిగ్గు చేటు.#WeWillStandWithCBNSir#G20India2023#StopIllegalArrestOfCBN#PsychoJagan pic.twitter.com/5XwpdqTQzs
— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) September 9, 2023
To face this kind of "atrocious regime", he called on at least one person from each household to make "sacrifices" for the state and move forward, new agency PTI reported.
First Published: Sept 9, 2023 7:02 AM IST
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