The Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said on September 9 that former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was the main conspirator and “accused number 1” in the ₹ 371 crore skill development scam. The agency also said that the government order was issued at the behest of Mr. Naidu, with the intention of unjustly damaging the public exchequer and profiting private individuals.
The former chief minister was arrested by the CID around 6 am from RK Function Hall in Gyanapuram in Nandiyala town in connection with the scam. In its remand report, the CID said that as per the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private sector companies in the six skill development clusters, especially from funds developed by the AP government and the AP Skill Development Centre, totaled Rs 371 crore. “
The CID has alleged that the main accused in the investigation, Mr Naidu, along with the Telugu Desam Party, was involved as a beneficiary of the misused funds. Mr Naidu is considered to be the main conspirator behind the scheme, with public funds being transferred to private companies through shell companies, resulting in losses to the public exchequer and private profits, it added.The ultimate use of misappropriated funds, including cash holdings with persons like Vikas Khanvilkar, requires further examination.
