Supreme Court has finally delivered their verdict on Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s quash petition in AP Skill Development Case. The AP opposition leader has moved his quash peition from AP CID from AP High Court to Supreme Court on 23rd September. The Apex Court has kept verdict pending from 17th October.
On 16th January, 2024, they have delivered a split verdict. Justice bench on the case consisting of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Bela Tridevi did not reach to a consensus about Section 17(A) applicability in this case. Nara Chandrababu Naidu has requested court to quash FIR against him as CID did not take necessary permission from Governor before arresting him.
Justices have stated that CID should have taken permission and approval of Governor. They stated that CID has acted in haste. They also stated that Section 17(A) has been brought-in to help honest public officials and this should not be misused or misrepresented. They opined CID should have considered several other legal parameters before acting upon in this case.
They have opined that Section 17(A) cannot be applied to cases filed before this ACT has been brought in. Hence, they have referred the case to Chief Justice of India, CJI. Soon, Dr Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, will be going through the case and verdict. He may also ask for offering arguments before him by both the sides. If Nara Chandrababu Naidu will be arrested or not, CJI will decide on that aspect too.