The CID reiterated in its petition that it was a “mistake of fact” to have registered the case against Chandrababu Naidu.
Published Jan 13, 2026 | 3:04 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 13, 2026 | 3:04 PM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Synopsis: The Anti-Corruption Bureau Court in Vijayawada formally approved a petition filed by the Crime Investigation Department to wind up the investigation into the cases against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The petition sought closure of the case popularly referred to as the Skill Development Scam, in which Naidu was named as an accused along with several others.
As reported by South First earlier that the cases against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were being wound down, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court in Vijayawada formally approved a petition filed by the Crime Investigation Department (CID).
The petition sought closure of the case popularly referred to as the Skill Development Scam, in which Naidu was named as an accused along with several others.
In its plea, the CID told the court that it intended to close the case as there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations against Naidu. The case was registered in 2023, when Naidu was in the Opposition, and the YSRCP was in power in the state.
South First had reported that the Andhra Pradesh CID had issued a notice expressing its intention to close the case booked against the TDP chief, stating that the registration of the case itself was “a mistake of fact”.
The CID reiterated in its petition that it was a “mistake of fact” to have registered the case against Naidu. After hearing arguments on Monday, 12 January, the ACB court accepted the CID’s submission and ordered closure of the cases against Naidu and 36 others.
The case pertained to alleged misuse of public funds in a project undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) to train unemployed youth and establish skill development centres across the state.
The CID had named Naidu as Accused No.1 (A1), alleging that due process was violated in the formation of the corporation and sanction of funds, and that his signatures appeared on key documents linked to the scheme.
Investigators had claimed that the state government released about ₹371 crore — its full 10 percent share of the proposed ₹3,300-crore project — even before any substantial investment was made by partner Siemens, and alleged that a large portion of the funds was diverted to shell companies through fake invoices without actual delivery of goods or services.
Naidu was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh CID in September 2023 in connection with the case and was later released on bail. The Supreme Court and the high court had heard multiple petitions relating to bail conditions and quashing of the FIR. Naidu and the TDP have consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the case was politically motivated.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
