Naidu's arrest illegal: CBI ex-director
Nageswar pointed out that in the case of Naidu no notice for appearance had been served, no warrant of arrest had been obtained from court
Vijayawada: Former director of CBI Nageswar Rao has termed the arrest of TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu in the AP Skill Development Corporation scam as illegal, as AP CID had not obtained the mandatory prior approval from the AP Governor.
He said under section 17 (A) (c) of Prevention of Corruption Act, it is mandatory to take prior approval from the Governor to take up inquiry or investigation involving serving or former chief ministers or ministers.
The former IPS officer said on Saturday that as per general practice of inquiry, the accused public servant is not supposed to be arrested, except in case where he or she refuses to cooperate in the inquiry by not appearing before the inquiry officer or if the accused interferes in the inquiry.
Nageswar Rao pointed out that in the case of Naidu, no notice for appearance had been served and no warrant of arrest had been obtained from the court.
Pointing out that the case was registered some two years ago in 2021, he questioned the urgency in arresting Naidu. Further, he underlined that Naidu’s arrest has come on Saturday, a holiday for the court. Sunday also being a holiday, the arrest of Naidu is improper. It implies sinister design and mala fide intention, the former CBI director underlined.