Andhra Pradesh CID Arrests Former Chief Minister Naidu Amid Corruption Allegations
In a shocking turn of events, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, has been arrested by the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) in connection with allegations of corruption. The arrest, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, has ignited a wave of protests from Naidu’s party members and elicited condemnation from opposing political parties.
Naidu, who served as Chief Minister three times, was taken into custody from Nandyal and transported to Vijaywada, where he was questioned by CID officials throughout the night. The arrest unfolded dramatically as police forces surrounded and barricaded the area where Naidu was sleeping in his caravan. TDP leaders, including former minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, intervened and blocked the police team, leading to a heated argument.
At 5:30 am, the police knocked on Naidu’s door and informed him that he was being arrested in connection with alleged corruption related to the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC). The notice served to him outlined charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery of electronic documents, fraud, breach of trust, and sections of the Prevention of Corruption act. Naidu was told that he could only seek bail through the court.
The corruption allegations date back to 2014, shortly after Naidu assumed power as Chief Minister. The Andhra Pradesh government, under Naidu’s leadership, proposed the establishment of the APSSDC, which aimed to develop employability skills for non-professional course students and promote entrepreneurship. Additional Director General of Police (CID), N Sanjay, revealed that the alleged fraud amounted to approximately ₹550 crore. He accused Naidu of orchestrating the transfer of public funds to private entities through shell companies, with no actual delivery or sales recorded on invoices. Furthermore, a portion of the funds was allegedly used to create centres of excellence in a departure from official procedures. Sanjay emphasized Naidu’s central role in the investigation, stating that key documents had gone missing, making Naidu and others primary suspects.
This is not the first case related to the alleged corruption. In 2018, the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department had initiated an investigation, resulting in the arrest of two individuals for fund diversion. Properties amounting to ₹31.20 crore belonging to one of the involved companies were also attached.
Naidu vehemently denied the charges, claiming that the police failed to present any evidence against him. He expressed his belief that the ruling party was attempting to fabricate a false case against him.
News of Naidu’s arrest spread rapidly, leading to widespread demonstrations by TDP cadres across the state. Many party leaders were taken into preventive custody by the police. In a show of protest, Naidu’s son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh was stopped by police personnel in Konaseema while on his way to Nandyal to support his father. In response, Lokesh staged a sit-in protest on the road.
Naidu was transported to the office of the special investigation team in Vijaywada later in the evening. However, according to an anonymous spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Naidu has not been cooperative with the investigating officers and has refused to answer any queries posed to him.
The arrest has drawn condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political parties affiliated with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a national opposition grouping. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee working president N Tulasi Reddy questioned the lack of prior notice to Naidu if a genuine case existed. Daggubati Purandeswari, BJP’s state president, highlighted that Naidu’s name was not mentioned in the FIR, and he was never asked for an explanation by the police. On the other hand, YSRCP general secretary and advisor to the government (public affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy dismissed these claims, asserting that Naidu’s arrest was based on strong evidence collected by the police.
The arrest of the former Chief Minister, less than a year before assembly and parliamentary elections, has plunged Andhra Pradesh into a political turmoil. As various parties express their views on the matter, the case against Naidu will undoubtedly become a central point of discussion in the lead-up to the elections.
