The High Court of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the petition filed by former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party leader N. Chandrababu Naidu seeking quashing of case registered against him in connection with the multi-crore skill development programme scam case.

Naidu has also sought cancellation of his judicial remand.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the single-judge Bench of Justice K. Sreenivas Reddy reserved its order.

Representing Naidu, Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Siddharth Luthra contended that sanction under the Prevention of Corruption was not obtained to prosecute the TDP leader.

They asserted that no case was made out against the former Chief Minister since the project in question was up and running and it could not be said that public money was misappropriated.

The Counsel appearing for the State argued that no sanction was required in the case since inquiry was initiated in 2018, prior to passing of the Amendment Act, which made provision for sanction.

He further alleged that when in power, Naidu was aware that the project cost was inflated and yet he proceeded with it in partnership with a private entity Siemens, thereby causing loss to the public exchequer.

The Senior Counsels appearing for Naidu argued that Central agencies had approved the valuation of the project.

Reading from the FIR, they pointed out that no allegation was shown, adding that the might of the State cannot be used to put somebody down.

Naidu was arrested on September 9 at Nandyal by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh Police.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court had earlier found a prima facie case against the former Chief Minister under the charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and corruption and sent him to 14-days judicial custody.

The court further rejected his application for house remand.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court, however, directed the Special ACB Court judge on September 13 not to insist on seeking a counter from Naidu.

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