Skill Development Scam: Chandrababu Naidu Granted Regular Bail By Andhra Pradesh High Court

On Monday (20 November), the Andhra Pradesh High Court granted regular bail to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation scam case.

The court converted Naidu's initial four-week interim medical bail into absolute bail, ordering the release of the former chief minister on regular bail.

The court's order stated, "The interim bail granted to A37 (Naidu) dated October 31 is made absolute, and the petitioner (Naidu) is ordered to be released on regular bail on the bail bond already furnished by him."

However, the conditions imposed during the interim bail, such as refraining from making public comments related to the Skill Development Corporation scam case or organising/participating in public rallies and meetings, will continue until 28 November. These conditions are set to be relaxed from 29 November onwards.

The High Court directed Naidu to submit his medical reports to the Special Court in Vijayawada on or before 28 November, instead of submitting them to the Superintendent of Rajamahendravaram Central Prison.

Following extensive arguments on 16 November by Additional Advocate General P Sudhakar Reddy for the Andhra Pradesh Police Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Supreme Court lawyer Siddarth Luthra representing Naidu, the court reserved its judgement.

Naidu, who recently underwent cataract surgery at L V Prasad Hospital in Hyderabad, had been arrested on 9 September.

He was released on interim medical bail on 31 October, a status that has now been made regular.

The charges against him involve the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, causing a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer.