The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant legal step by filing a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision to grant bail to former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation scam case. This move comes after the Andhra Pradesh High Court, on November 20, 2023, approved bail for Naidu, a decision that has now become a point of contention.
In its petition to the Supreme Court, the Andhra Pradesh government expressed its strong objections to the High Court’s ruling. The state’s plea criticized the High Court’s approach, stating,
“The High Court has delved deep into facts of the case and has rendered findings that are not only factually incorrect but are also likely to prejudice the court below during the trial.”
The state government argued that the High Court’s order was
“perverse for exceeding the jurisdiction in connection with the bail,”
indicating a belief that the High Court overstepped its bounds in its analysis of the case.
The prosecution’s case against Naidu is built on the claim that various account statements of Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) show significant cash deposits corresponding to the period when funds from the Skill Development Corporation project were allegedly misappropriated. This evidence forms a crucial part of the state’s argument against the bail decision.
The High Court had initially granted Naidu a four-week interim medical bail, which was later converted into absolute bail. This decision was based on several factors, including Naidu’s age, his old age-related ailments, the perceived low risk of him fleeing, and other considerations. Naidu, who had recently undergone cataract surgery at L V Prasad Hospital in Hyderabad, was arrested on September 9. He was initially released on interim medical bail on October 31, which the High Court later made regular.
The charges against Naidu involve the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, leading to an estimated loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer. The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court highlights the gravity of the allegations and the contentious nature of this high-profile case. The government’s challenge to the bail decision underscores its commitment to pursuing this case and ensuring accountability in the alleged financial irregularities.
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