Breaking: TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu arrested in AP Skill Development Scam
Stating that it is a non-bailable offence, the notice said he cannot be released on bail
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 9 Sep 2023 1:50 AM GMT
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu in Rs 371 crore AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam. He was arrested at Nandyal on Saturday morning.
The arrest was made under multiple sections. As per the notice issued under Section 50 (1) (2) of Criminal Procedure Code, the cops informed Naidu that he was being arrested under Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 rw 34 & 37 IPC and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Stating that it is a non-bailable offence, the notice said he cannot be released on bail. "You may seek bail through court only," the notice served by CID deputy superintendent of police M Dhanunjayudu, said.
A tense situation prevailed at Nandyal when the CID knocked on the doors of the bus in which Naidu was staying during his yatra. Lawyers of Naidu questioned the CID about his arrest. Police said that they could not issue an FIR before the arrest.
According to the lawyers, Naidu who is diabetic has been taken into custody in the early morning. The CID said they would take care of him at Vijayawada. Naidu will be shifted to Vijayawada for further investigation after medical tests.
Earlier, CID arrested G.V.S. Bhaskar, who was a former employee of Siemens Industrial Software Pvt Ltd, from his residence in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and produced him before the Court. A transit remand of 36 hours was given to produce him in the Court in Vijayawada.
The scam dates back to 2014 when the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh entered into an MoU worth Rs 3,300 Crore with a consortium involving Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd.
The company offered training programs in collaboration with various state governments. Further, a GO was issued stating that Siemens would set up six centers of excellence for skill development worth Rs 3300 Cr.
The lid blew off in 2017, when the tax investigation wing of GST, Intelligence Pune, unearthed a financial fraud involving crores of rupees. The GST sleuths cross-checked the invoices of DesignTech Systems Private Limited and Skillar Enterprises India Private Limited, which led them to APSSDC, Vijayawada.
During the probe, CID officials found that no tenders were called for the project, and Siemens Industry Software India and Design Tech had not spent a single rupee from their resources on this project. However, they siphoned off the major portion contributed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh as its share for 10% of the project cost, amounting to Rs 371 Cr. The money was diverted to major shell companies.
No evidence against me in any case, says Naidu
After the police took him into custody, the former chief minister Mr Chandarbabu Naidu made it clear that he has not committed any mistake.
"The police came to the area last night and created a lot of fuss and when I asked them to show the proof of my committing any mistake they failed to produce any such kind of evidence," Mr Chandrababu told media persons before being shifted to Vijayawada. "The ruling party is very keen on somehow foisting some false case against me which is highly undesirable," he added.
