Andhra Skill Development case: HC grants interim bail to Chandrababu Naidu for cataract surgery

Granting the interim bail on health grounds, the bench directed the former CM to appear before the Superintendent of the central prison in Rajamahendravaram on or before November 28.

Hyderabad: In a temporary relief to TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, theAndhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday granted him four weeks of interim bail on health grounds.

He was asked to surrender before the central prison superintendent of Rajamahendravaram where he is currently lodged on November 28 at 5pm. Naidu was arrested on September 9 by the Andhra Pradesh CID sleuths on charges of alleged misappropriation of funds in the AP skill development corporation when he was the Chief Minister of the state between 2014 and 2019.

While the Andhra Pradesh HC has been hearing a regular bail petition, Naidu few days ago moved another petition seeking bail on medical and health grounds, citing doctors' suggestions for a cataract surgery on his right eye. He already underwent a cataract surgery on his left eye in the past.

“With a humanitarian perspective in mind and considering the petitioner's health condition, this Court is inclined to grant temporary bail on health grounds to the petitioner/A.37, enabling him to undergo the required surgery on his right eye. In the facts and circumstances of the case, both petitions are allowed; the petitioner/A.37 is entitled to interim bail on medical grounds for four (4) weeks from today. The petitioner shall get himself examined/treated at a hospital of his choice at his expenses,” said justice T Mallikharjuna Rao in the order.

The High Court will hear Naidu's regular bail petition on November 10.

Meanwhile, the AP CID has booked another case against Naidu for allegedly causing losses to the state's exchequer by manipulating the state’s liquor policy to benefit individuals and private entities.

Naidu has been named accused no. 3 in the FIR, apart from unknown public servants and others along with the then excise commissioner I Srinivas Sri Naresh and excise minister Kollu Ravindra.

The case was booked based on a complaint lodged by Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Ltd (APSBCL) Managing Director, D Vasudeva Reddy.