Admin | September 9, 2023
In the annals of Andhra Pradesh, this day stands as a dark stain. A visionary who once elevated the state’s economic and social status, tirelessly dedicating his life to uplifting generations of Telugu people and providing opportunities to the underprivileged, now finds himself unjustly imprisoned.
Jagan Mohan Reddy, plagued by a string of CBI and ED cases accusing him of looting public funds, has wielded his power to order the arrest of N Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of TDP, in the early hours of a Friday. The APCID, having transformed into a willing accomplice of a notorious economic and political offender, resorted to the most reprehensible methods to apprehend the former Chief Minister in the dark hours of Nandyal.
This case revolves around the Skill Development Corporation, established by the Jagan government in 2022. Under the directives of YS Jagan, the CID concocted a case that resulted in the arrest of several individuals, most of whom were later released on bail. However, inexplicably, the former Chief Minister suddenly became the prime suspect for the dubious CID. The arrest’s timing and the manner in which he was transported to the CID office in Mangalagiri, then produced before a magistrate, reek of political vendetta and legal irregularities.
An Invented Case
So, what is the essence of this case? It pertains to APSSDC, formed in 2016 to provide unemployed youth with training to enhance their employability. The previous TDP government had signed an MoU with a consortium involving Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd to execute a project worth ₹3,300 crore. Siemens Industry Software India was to establish six centers of excellence for skill development, with the state contributing approximately 10% of the total cost, while the remainder was to be provided by Siemens and Design Tech as grant-in-aid.
The Jagan government alleges that Siemens Industry Software India did not allocate any funds to this project but instead siphoned off a significant portion of the ₹371 crore contributed by the state. According to the CID investigation, this money was funneled into shell companies. It also cited an internal investigation by Siemens Global Corporate Office that led to the firing of the project manager over these allegations, along with an ongoing ED probe into the matter.
However, it’s important to note that the ED probe is related to GST evasion by Design Tech and not linked to the AP government. The ED had arrested several individuals associated with Siemens and Design Tech. Now, the CID claims that the ₹371 crore paid to Siemens and Design Tech was diverted, and the beneficiary was alleged to be Chandrababu Naidu.
However, the CID has not provided any evidence explaining how this money could have been siphoned off when around 40 skill development centers have been successfully operating across the state since 2016. Furthermore, it remains unclear why a Chief Minister should be held accountable, even if misappropriation were to be proven, as Chief Ministers are primarily involved in policymaking rather than project execution. The CID’s failure to implicate Premachandra Reddy, the then secretary of the Skill Development Department, and Ajeya Kallam Reddy, who proposed the project as Finance Secretary, raises questions about the integrity of the case.
In reality, this case appears to be driven by political vendetta, lacking any credible evidence to justify Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest.
APCID, handmaiden of YS Jagan
The unlawful arrest of a former Chief Minister, who had served the state and its people with distinction, points to the sinister role played by political leaders who have manipulated the police force in Andhra Pradesh to their advantage. The illegal arrest was executed by police officers handpicked by Jagan, including CID DIG K Raghurami Reddy and SP Raghurama Reddy.
Interestingly, the current Chief Cecretary of the state is Jawahar Reddy, while the DGP is K Rajendranath Reddy. All these officials are clearly operating under the unlawful instructions of YS Jagan Reddy.
A police contingent arrived at around 3 am to apprehend Naidu while he was sleeping in a bus in Nandyal. It was a campaign halt. However, they faced resistance from TDP cadres and workers who gathered in large numbers. Naidu’s security detail also intervened, stating that they could not allow the arrest until 5:30 am in accordance with the rules. Eventually, Naidu was arrested around 6 am.
Deputy Inspector General (Nandyal Range) Raghurami Reddy informed Naidu that he was being arrested in connection with the alleged scam, where he was designated as accused number one. The CID handed Naidu a notice before he was transported over 300 km to Vijayawada, citing charges under the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The notice stated that, given the non-bailable nature of the offenses, Naidu would have to seek bail through the court.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest, including its urgency and timing, remain unexplained.
A Fabricated Report
The case against Naidu is a fabrication, seemingly concocted to appease YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, known globally for his extensive corruption record. Since coming into power, Jagan has relentlessly pursued his political opponents, wielding the government machinery and police force. Most cases against political leaders in Andhra Pradesh appear to be motivated by political vendetta.
In this specific case, the Jagan government invented a crime that had no existence during the previous government’s tenure. They attempted to blur the lines between the ED case, which centered on a service company’s non-payment of GST to the Skill Development Corporation. Later, they concocted the outlandish claim that the funds paid to Siemens and Design Tech had been siphoned off, despite the presence of audit reports and physical facilities, such as Centers of Excellence, across the state, clearly indicating no wrongdoing.
Moreover, even if corruption had occurred within the Skill Development Corporation, the responsibility would lie with the secretary and managing director responsible for overseeing the project, not the Chief Minister, who does not personally execute such projects. In this case, the Jagan government deliberately excluded Ajeya Kallam Reddy and Premachandra Reddy, the individuals directly accountable for the project’s execution, with the former currently serving as Jagan Reddy’s chief advisor.
The Jagan government shamelessly propagated false information about the case, falsely claiming that the Skill Development Corporation had been established without cabinet approval.
Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party, was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the ACB court. The leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly was presented before the court of the third additional sessions judge for anti-corruption bureau cases in Vijayawada after being questioned by the state Crime Investigation Department for nearly 10 hours. The CID claimed to have named the former Chief Minister as accused number 37 in the case, a fact contradicting their previous claim that he was accused number one.
The ACB court appears to have failed in its responsibility, as the CID report failed to specify how Naidu was connected to the case, beyond making strong, unfounded allegations. It is surprising that the judge accepted these claims at face value. Additionally, numerous legal experts pointed out that the prior sanction of the Governor is mandatory for arresting a former Chief Minister accused of corruption.
Former CBI director’s Opinion on the False Case
Former Principal Finance Secretary’s Opinion on the False Case
