Clean Chit for CM Naidu in Skill Development Case
In a significant legal victory for Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, a local court in Vijayawada has officially closed the long-standing Skill Development Corporation case. The decision came after the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a report stating that no evidence was found to link the Chief Minister to any financial irregularities. This closure marks the end of a high-profile legal battle that has dominated the state’s political landscape for over two years.
The court accepted the CID’s “closure memo,” which clarified that investigations into the alleged misappropriation of funds did not yield any proof of wrongdoing by Mr. Naidu. Following this submission, the judicial officer ordered the dismissal of proceedings not only against the Chief Minister but also for 36 other individuals who were named in the initial complaints. This ruling effectively provides a clean chit to all parties involved, resolving the allegations of a loss to the state exchequer.
Historically, this case led to the arrest of Mr. Naidu in September 2023, resulting in 53 days of judicial custody at the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison. He was later released on bail by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in October of the same year. The legal team representing the government noted that after a thorough review of documents and project approvals related to the training of unemployed youth, the agency concluded there was no substance to the charges of fund diversion.
Supporters and party members have welcomed the verdict, describing it as a vindication of the Chief Minister’s integrity. The project, originally intended to set up excellence centers and provide technical training across the state, was a flagship initiative during his previous tenure. With the legal clouds now cleared, the state administration is expected to focus entirely on its current governance and development agenda without the distraction of these pending legal hurdles.
