Home » Andhra Pradesh » No Relief Acb Court Extends Tdp Chief Chandrababu Naidus Judicial Custody Till 1 November

No relief: ACB Court extends TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s judicial custody till 1 November

The court issued orders extending the judicial custody after the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison authorities produced Naidu virtually

ByRaj Rayasam

Published Oct 19, 2023 | 1:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 19, 2023 | 1:55 PM

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court in Vijayawada on Thursday, 19 October, extended the judicial remand of TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu till 1 November.

The court issued orders extending the judicial custody after the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison authorities produced Naidu virtually, as mandated by law.

Naidu was arrested in ₹371 crore AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam case on 9 September by the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) and was sent to judicial remand the following day.

He has been in judicial custody at the central prison since then.

Related: APHC adjourns hearing on petitions regarding cases against Naidu

‘Threat to safety’

When Naidu was produced virtually before the court, he said he perceived a threat to his safety to which the court asked him to give it in writing. The jail authorities were then asked to send the letter to the court.

The judge inquired about his health in the wake of apprehensions aired by his supporters that it was failing. The judge asked him not to fear as a medical team was always at his call to take care of any emergency.

The court also asked the jail authorities to submit the medical reports as they were issued. The judge reminded Naidu that his bail petition was before the high court.

The case in which he was arrested relates to the misappropriation of ₹371 crore in the setting up of clusters of centres of excellence in Andhra Pradesh for skilling and upskilling the youth to help them land better jobs. The alleged scam took place between 2014 and 2019 when Naidu was the chief minister of the state.

Related: Why the Nara women may have to pick up the TDP mantle

Case in the Supreme Court

Naidu’s petition for quashing of the FIR issued by the CID at the time of his arrest is before the Supreme Court. Naidu moved the apex court after the state high court dismissed his plea for quashing the FIR under which he was sent to judicial remand. Naidu has been listed as A1 in the case.

Without granting an interim bail to the TDP supremo in the Fibrenet case, the Supreme Court had, on 17 October, reserved its order on his plea seeking to quash the FIR against him in the APSSDC scam.

Claiming that the FIR was registered without prior sanction from the state Governor, Naidu challenged it under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act.

Naidu’s plea for interim bail will be taken up on 20 October.