A.P. Police tell Supreme Court Chandrababu Naidu and son are ‘intimidating’ probe officers, seek cancellation of his bail

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider on March 19 an application by the Andhra Pradesh Police against former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh. It said they are making public statements to intimidate government officials and police officers investigating the skill development scam case. Bail was granted to Mr. Naidu by the High Court in November 2023.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider an application by the Andhra Pradesh Police that former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh, are making public statements to intimidate government officials and police officers investigating the skill development scam case.

A Bench headed by Justice Bela M. Trivedi posted the case on March 19, giving Mr. Naidu’s side time to file a response.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and advocate Mahfooz A. Nazki, for the State, said the “situation was very, very serious” and warranted the cancellation of bail granted to Mr. Naidu by the High Court in November 2023.

The application filed by the State drew the attention of the Supreme Court to the interviews of Mr. Lokesh on December 19 last year.

“The contents of these interviews indicate that both Nara Lokesh and Respondent [Mr. Naidu] are taking steps and making statements to intimidate government officers and police officials in order to hamper the investigation of subject crime and other crimes in which the Respondent is involved,” the application said.

It said no prejudice would be caused to Mr. Naidu if the top court cancelled his bail.

In January, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict in a petition filed by Mr. Naidu to quash criminal proceedings instituted against him in the skill development scam case.