In a significant development for Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has exonerated him in the alleged ₹371 crore skill development corporation scam. This decision comes as a major relief for Naidu, who had been embroiled in legal troubles stemming from the accusations against him.
On Tuesday, the ED officially stated that there is no evidence linking Naidu to the misappropriation of funds in the skill and entrepreneurship development project, which had been conducted in partnership with Siemens. This finding marks a pivotal moment for the TDP chief, who had previously faced severe repercussions, including his arrest last year following a CID investigation initiated by the ruling Jagan Reddy government.
Naidu spent over 50 days in jail before securing bail on October 31, 2023, a period that significantly impacted his political standing. The allegations against him had raised concerns over corruption and governance in the state, but the ED’s clean chit now clears his name of any wrongdoing related to the scam.
Despite the relief for Naidu, the ED has invoked the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to temporarily attach assets worth ₹23.5 crore belonging to Designtech Systems Private Ltd and others named in the chargesheet. This indicates that while Naidu may have been cleared, the investigation into other involved parties is ongoing.
The announcement of the ED’s findings has been welcomed by Naidu’s supporters and could bolster his political prospects as he continues to lead the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh. The decision also raises questions about the earlier investigations conducted by the CID under the current government, reflecting the political tensions that have marked Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape in recent years.
