Chandrababu Naidu granted regular bail by Andhra Pradesh High Court in skill development case

Chandrababu Naidu, who was already granted interim bail on medical grounds, can participate in political activities from November 29 onwards.

Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu leaves from Rajamundry Central Prison after he was granted 4 weeks interim bail by Andhra Pradesh HC on medical grounds, in Rajamahendravaram on October 31. (PTI)

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The Andhra Pradesh High Court Monday granted regular bail to Leader of Opposition and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation case.

On October 31, the high court granted four weeks of interim bail on medical grounds to Naidu, who is now seeking treatment in Hyderabad.

Naidu, 73, was arrested by Andhra Pradesh CID on September 9 for his alleged involvement in a scam in the AP Skill Development Corporation during his Telugu Desam Party’s regime from 20014 to 2019.

The CID alleged that Naidu is the primary accused in the case, allegedly involving the transfer of Rs 371 crore of government funds to shell companies.

The FIR in this case was registered on December 9, 2021. Naidu was taken into custody when he was touring Nandyal and then taken to Vijayawada for questioning. He was then sent to judicial custody by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Vijayawada and lodged in Rajamahendravaram Central Jail.

While granting the interim bail, the court had directed him to seek medical treatment and cataract surgery done in his right eye, undergo a thorough medical checkup as advised by a team of government and private doctors, and surrender on November 28. With the high court granting him regular bail now, he does not have to present himself before the authorities on November 28.

The conditions put by the court while giving Naidu interim bail, including not conducting any political activity or giving political speeches, will be in place until November 28. From November 29 onwards, he can participate in political activities.

Sreenivas Janyala

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More

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