“…culmination of Jagan govt”: CPI condemns Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) [India]: Andhra Pradesh Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary K Ramakrishna on Saturday condemned the arrest of former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party National President Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

“Police can take action by giving advance notice, if any. But why is it necessary for the police to go and create a ruckus in the middle of the night? Detaining TDP leaders across the state along with Lokesh is evil. CID is acting aggressively towards the guide. This is the culmination of the Jagan government’s and harassment of the opposition,” he said.

The TDP chief was taken into custody by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the alleged skill development scam case. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021.

As police arrived early this morning to arrest the TDP Chief, they faced resistance from TDP cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu’s supporters during his arrest.

Meanwhile, N Chandrababu Naidu, who was arrested Saturday morning on an alleged case of corruption, said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and that they refused to show him evidence.

Talking to mediapersons ahead of the police taking him into custody, Naidu said, I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information, and I asked them to show the evidence, but they refused to show it and attached my name to the FIR without my role.”

Naidu has been named as accused number 1 in the case, which involves over Rs 250 crore.
Details of the FIR and other details were provided to Naidu’s advocates, who also demanded prima facie evidence, pointing out that the former chief minister’s name was not mentioned in the FIR report.

The former Andhra Chief Minister has been charged under sections for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

“It is to inform you that you have been arrested under CrPc’s Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 rw 34 and 37 IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the notice issued under Section 50 (1) (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

According to the details, Naidu was to be shifted to Nandyal Hospital for a medical examination. However, his medical check-up was conducted at a camp after he refused to go to the hospital.

Naidu was taken to Vijayawada from Nandyal by road. Earlier, there were reports that police would take him on the flight.

The State Police also detained several party leaders, including Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh, in East Godavari district as a preventive action to maintain law and order in the state.