Supreme Court Judge Justice SVN Bhatti on Wednesday (September 27) recused himself from presiding over the plea filed by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, which sought to quash the FIR registered against him in the skill development scam case, news agency ANI reported.
Naidu was arrested in early September, months before the state assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held concurrently. Both the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance and the ruling National Democratic Alliance condemned the arrest, which occurred during Naidu's attempt to resurrect the TDP after its poor performance in the 2019 elections. The TDP won only 23 of the assembly's 175 seats and three of the Lok Sabha's 25 seats.
The CID, which is also investigating the APSSDC case, had previously opposed Naidu's bail because the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) expected Naidu to face no immediate relief. An unnamed YSRCP leader told HT this month that even if he gets bail, the CID is ready to "fix him in another case and arrest him."
On September 11, the CID petitioned the ACB court for an arrest warrant against Naidu in connection with the Amaravati capital city inner ring road scam. On the complaint of YSRCP legislator Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, the case was filed in May 2022. According to the CID, Naidu altered the road's alignment in exchange for a free bungalow in Undavalli.
Naidu is also charged with attempted murder in connection with the alleged attacks on YSRCP leaders, workers, and police on August 4 during a road show in Annamayya district.
Even though there is no immediate threat to the TDP, Naidu's son, Nara Lokesh, has stepped in to calm fears within the party. After calling off his foot march, he has attempted to lead the party from the front. Lokesh challenged the CID to apprehend him. He has been coordinating with party leaders for protests against his father's arrest across the state. Lokesh also spoke with the media in New Delhi, stating that he is in charge of the party in his father's absence.