Police shifts Chandrababu Naidu to Vijayawada amid protests by supporters

Vijayawada, Sep 9:  Amid tension and protests by hundreds of his supporters, TDP president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was on Saturday brought here from Nandyal, where he was arrested by the CID in Skill Development Corporation case.

The police vehicle carrying Naidu reached SIT office at Kunchanapalli, a suburb of Vijayawada. Hundreds of TDP men gathered outside and raised slogans in support of the party president.

Naidu is likely to be kept at SIT office till the CID officials complete the paperwork. He may also be questioned by the CID officials at SIT office before he is taken to ACB court for producing the magistrate.

There was no clarity if Naidu's medical examination will be conducted at SIT office or at a government hospital in the city before taking him to the court.

Naidu, who was arrested by the CID in Nandyal early Saturday, was brought to Vijayawada by road. His supporters tried to block the police convoy at several places along the 300-km route. At a few places, police had to resort to lathi charge to clear the road blocks.

There was tension when the convoy reached near TDP and Jana Sena offices in Mangalagiri. Protestors burnt tyres on the road to stop the convoy. Large number of protestors including women sat on the road to lodge their protest.

Meanwhile, tension also prevailed at Vijayawada City Court complex. Police detained TDP workers including women who had gathered there and were raising anti-government slogans. Police personnel were deployed around the court complex. The road leading to the court complex was barricaded.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sidharth Luthra will be arguing the case on behalf of Naidu. The senior lawyer reached Vijayawada by a special court to argue on Naidu's remand petition.

Sidharth Luthra had earlier represented Naidu in various cases including note for vote case in Hyderabad.

Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh reached the residence at Undavalli in Amaravati and was discussing legal strategy with lawyers. Lokesh, who was earlier stopped from heading towards Nandyal to meet his father, is likely to meet him at SIT office or in court.