Amidst heightened tension in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, the CID arrested Chandrababu Naidu, the national president of the Telugu Desam Party and former Chief Minister, in connection with corruption cases involving the AP Skill Development Corporation. The police had been deploying substantial forces via buses from Kurnool, Nandyal, and Anantapur districts since midnight on September 8.
The dramatic turn of events unfolded on September 9, with Naidu’s arrest in Nandyal, which is located 65 km from Kurnool. A five-hour-long high-tension situation preceded his arrest. To effect this arrest, the police deployed heavy forces in multiple buses from the aforementioned districts. Around 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, the police surrounded Mr. Naidu’s campaign vehicle stationed at a function hall in Nandyal. Swiftly, they detained all TDP cadres gathered around Naidu’s vehicle before notifying the NSG guards of their mission. As Naidu exited the vehicle, the CID police served him with an arrest notice and obtained his acknowledgment.
The arrest notice cited Crime No. 29/2021, with charges under various sections of the IPC, including 120 (B), 166, 167, 41b, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109, and 34, as well as under sections 12, 13 (2), and 13 (1) (c) and (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1968, as per the CID police at Mangalagiri.
Moments before his formal arrest, Naidu engaged in a heated argument with the CID officers, questioning the manner and grounds of his arrest. The CID police advised Naidu to seek bail in court, assuring him that they would present the arrest records there.
Several leaders, including Kalva Srinivasulu, Bhuma Akila Priya, Jagath Vikyath Reddy, Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy, AV Subba Reddy, and others, were also arrested in Nandyal.
Addressing the media, Naidu asserted his innocence, claiming that he had not committed any crimes. He accused the YSRCP government of suppressing TDP cadres and democratic forces critical of its actions. He urged both the people and his supporters to maintain composure, believing that “righteousness will prevail.”
Around 8 a.m., after conducting medical tests on Naidu, one of his lawyers revealed that Naidu was suffering from hypertension and high sugar levels. He stated that they would seek relevant action in court due to his deteriorating health.
Subsequently, the CID police abandoned the idea of transporting Naidu to Vijayawada by helicopter and opted for the road route.
