NEW DELHI: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has granted a four-week interim bail to Andhra Pradesh Telugu Desam Party president and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on health grounds. Naidu, who was held in Rajahmundry central prison, was arrested on September 10 in connection with an alleged Rs 371 crore scam involving the state’s Skill Development Corporation.
The Andhra Pradesh government had initially allocated Rs 371 crore for the Skill Development Corporation, but it was later discovered that only a small portion of these funds were used for establishing the Centre of Excellence, while the remaining amount was funnelled through shell companies using fake invoices. Subsequent investigations revealed that Naidu played a key role in the conspiracy.
According to the 16-page court order, the High Court bench headed by Tallapragada Mallikarjuna Rao stated that considering Naidu’s health condition, particularly his right eye issues, he is eligible for a four-week interim bail on medical grounds, effective from Tuesday.
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However, Naidu will be required to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of equal amounts, to the satisfaction of the trial court. He is also responsible for covering his medical expenses during his treatment at a hospital of his choice.
The court has further instructed Naidu to provide detailed information about his medical treatment and the hospital where he received it, in a sealed envelope, to the superintendent of the Rajahmundry Central Jail upon surrender. The superintendent will then forward the sealed envelope, unopened, to the trial court.
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The judge also issued a directive prohibiting the TDP chief from directly or indirectly attempting to influence, threaten, or make promises to any person who is privy to the case’s facts, with the intent of dissuading them from disclosing such information to the court or any other relevant authority.