Former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu arrested in skill development centre probe

Andhra Pradesh's former Chief Minister and TDP chief, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, was arrested on Saturday in connection with a multi-crore skill development centres probe. This case has been a shadow over the leader since his party lost power in the 2019 Assembly polls.

The investigation revolves around alleged misappropriation of funds during Naidu's tenure as Chief Minister (2015-2019) related to the setup of a centre of excellence and five technical skill development centres. The state government had partnered with Siemens Industrial Software India and Design Tech Systems for this initiative, with private entities contributing 90% of the funds and the state government providing the remaining 10%.

A CID probe initiated by the YSRCP government after 2019 found that private entities did not fulfill their financial commitments, and approximately Rs 371 crore of the state government's share was allegedly misappropriated. Key figures in the investigation include former special secretary Ganta Subba Rao and ex-IAS officer K. Lakshminarayana, who has been identified as a close associate of Naidu.

Naidu has been arrested under various IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, and forgery. Additionally, the Prevention of Corruption Act has been invoked against him.

The Enforcement Directorate had previously arrested the managing directors of Siemens Industrial Software India and Design Tech Systems in March for alleged money laundering and misutilization of funds associated with this skill development case.