Vijayawada: Additional Director General of AP CID, N Sanjay, has revealed that former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is the prime accused in the APSSDC financial scandal, where approximately Rs 300 crore of public funds were siphoned off through a web of shell companies. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Sanjay said the investigation uncovered that Naidu played a central role in orchestrating the transfer of government funds into private hands. In a stunning development, the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) apprehended Naidu in connection with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam. The arrest was made early Saturday morning in Nandyal.THE CID Additional Director General revealed that Naidu was served with a notice under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 120(B), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109, along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998.
The APSSDC scam revolves around the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across the State, with a project value of Rs 3,300 crore. Shockingly, Rs 371 crore of government funds, representing the entire 10 percent commitment to the skill development project, were advanced to the APSSDC. This money was then funnelled through fake invoices issued by shell companies, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in these invoices. Some of the funds were diverted to create the CoE clusters, contrary to official procedures, while the remainder disappeared into the pockets of the accused via shell companies.
The investigation has also implicated Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as beneficiaries of the misappropriated funds. Naidu, in particular, is identified as the mastermind behind the scheme, as he possessed exclusive knowledge of the transactions leading to the issuance of government orders and memoranda of understanding.
CID Director General Sanjay expressed concern over the ultimate use of the misappropriated funds, including cash holdings with individuals like Vikas Khanwilkar. Key documents related to the case have mysteriously disappeared, with Naidu and others considered primary suspects. To unravel the full extent of this financial fraud, custodial interrogation of Naidu has been deemed necessary. The charges, in this case, carry penalties of more than 10 years of imprisonment.
Central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate and the Goods & Service Tax department, have previously investigated the case. Two accused associated with the scam have fled to the UAE and the USA, prompting two CID teams to pursue their arrests. Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, and his close aide Kilari Rajesh are also under suspicion and may face custody during the investigation.
