VIJAYAWADA: In a new twist to the alleged Rs 118-crore Amaravati construction scam and income-tax notices issued to Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu in this respect, the AP CID has launched a detailed probe. The CID reportedly issued notices to two main individuals involved in the alleged scam.
With this, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step in investigating the corruption allegations against Naidu vis-a-vis the Amaravati scam.
Notably, Naidu and TD leaders have maintained a silence on the issue. Naidu did not respond to the I-T notices.
According to official sources, the AP government would launch a comprehensive investigation to ascertain where there were potential commonalities or connections between the IT scam and the AP Skill Development Corporation scam.
APCID officials were tight-lipped over the issuing of notices to two key persons but official sources confirmed that the notices were issued. It is also reported that AP CID additional DG N. Sanjay is likely to reveal details about the CID investigation in a day or two.
YSR Congress ministers, MLAs, MPs, and leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into the '118-crore scam and the arrest of Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh.
The sources said the CID has issued notices to key figures associated with the IT scam, Manoj Vasudev Pardasanny and Yogesh Gupta, with links to the Skill Development Corporation scam. Gupta allegedly played an important role in the earlier scam in re-routing '371 crore in five phases over three months. He is also suspected to have had a hand in this alleged loot of public money with regard to the Amaravati matter.
In November 2019, the income-tax department carried out investigations on Pardasanny, who represented Shapoorji Pallonji, contractor for the construction of the Secretariat.
Sources said the AP government is diligently the information unearthed subsequently, which suggested that the AP Township and Infrastructure Development (TIDCO) may have inflated the construction costs.
Serious allegations have been leveled against Naidu's PA Srinivas, who reportedly received money in connection with the IT scam and the Skill Corporation scam. Investigating agencies are actively pursuing leads suggesting that funds were appropriated in both scams.
Additionally, there were accusations of funds reaching Naidu in Dubai. The CID would inquire into this aspect. Plans are afoot to send an investigation team to Dubai to collect evidence.
