Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the denial of anticipatory bail by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in the FiberNet scam case. The case involves alleged tender manipulation in awarding a work order under Phase-1 of the AP FiberNet Project, amounting to ₹330 crore, to a favored company. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) claims irregularities occurred from tender allocation to project completion, resulting in a significant loss to the state exchequer, according to media reports.
The CID has accused Naidu of approving project estimates without a proper market survey and using influence to lift the blacklisting on M/s Terasoftware. The contract was allegedly awarded to the company amid protests from other bidders.
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In a recent setback for Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected anticipatory bail petitions in three corruption cases, including the Inner Ring Road, FiberNet, and Angallu 307 cases. The Angallu case is linked to riots during a political rally led by Naidu on August 4.
A special court has granted the CID permission to issue a prisoner transit warrant against Naidu in the AP FiberNet case. The court directed the CID to present Naidu on October 16, but noted that any Supreme Court order during the interim period would be binding.
Today, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela Trivedi, will hear Naidu's plea against the High Court's denial of anticipatory bail in the FiberNet scam case. Additionally, the bench will consider Naidu's petition to quash the FIR in the skill development scam case.
