Mon Nov 18 01:30:00 UTC 2024: **Andhra Pradesh: Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Arrest Deemed a Conspiracy Based on Fabricated Testimony**
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh – November 18, 2024 – New evidence suggests that the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in September 2023 was the result of a conspiracy involving the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Naidu was arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in a skill development project.
According to a report in Andhra Jyothi, the CID allegedly manipulated the statement of P.V. Ramesh, the then Special Chief Secretary of the Finance Department. Ramesh’s 161 statement, a crucial piece of evidence in the case, was reportedly altered to implicate Naidu. The CID is accused of adding statements that Ramesh never made.
Based on this fabricated testimony, Naidu was arrested and spent 53 days in jail. Legal experts criticized the arrest at the time, stating a lack of evidence against Naidu.
The alleged manipulation came to light during a recent court hearing. Ramesh reportedly confirmed that the statement attributed to him in the CID records was not his. He maintains that he never stated Naidu was involved in any wrongdoing. Ramesh had previously voiced concerns about the handling of funds in the skill development project and claimed Naidu pressured him to release funds despite his objections. The CID allegedly ignored Ramesh’s original statement and presented a falsified version to the court.
The Skill Development project itself involved approximately ₹3,500 crore, with 90% funded by Siemens and DesignTech. While the CID alleged funds were misappropriated, critics point to the successful implementation of the project, resulting in training for nearly 400,000 individuals and thousands securing employment. The substantial investment in training equipment further contradicts claims of widespread fraud.
This revelation casts serious doubt on the legitimacy of Naidu’s arrest, raising questions about the role of the CID and its alleged collusion with the ruling YSR Congress Party. The incident highlights concerns of political vendetta and abuse of power in the state. The case is currently under investigation.
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