Chandrababu Naidu's Case Hearing : Live Updates From Supreme Court [Day 3]

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10 Oct 2023 4:31 AM GMT

  • Chandrababu Naidus Case Hearing : Live Updates From Supreme Court [Day 3]

    The Supreme Court will continue hearing today former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's petition to quash FIR in relation to skill development scam case.This is the third day of hearing before a bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose & Bela Trivedi. Report of yesterday's hearing can be read here. The first day's hearing report can be read here.The prime point raised by Naiud's lawyers...

    The Supreme Court will continue hearing today former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's petition to quash FIR in relation to skill development scam case.

    This is the third day of hearing before a bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose & Bela Trivedi. Report of yesterday's hearing can be read here.  The first day's hearing report can be read here.

    The prime point raised by Naiud's lawyers is regarding the applicability of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which was inserted after the 2018 amendment. As per this section, no investigation under the PC Act can be launched against a public servant without obtaining prior sanction from the competent authority. Naidu's lawyers argue that the FIR against him and his arrest are illegal since the Governor's sanction was not obtained by the AP CID before adding the former Chief Minister as an accused.

    The Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected the contention by holding that Section 17A was not applicable to the case before the alleged offences were committed before the 2018 amendment. Naidu challenges this reasoning of the High Court by arguing that it is the date of the registration of the FIR which matters for the applicability of Section 17A. The FIR in this case was registered in December 2021. In response, the State has taken a plea that the inquiry in relation to the offence started prior to the 2018 amendment. Naidu's lawyers dispute this factual claim.

    During the hearing yesterday, the bench asked whether it can adopt an interpretation of Section 17A which will defeat the purpose of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In response, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, for Naidu, stated that Section 17A was intended as a protection to a public servant from harassment by the police after a change in the government.

    Live-updates from today's hearing can be followed in this page.

    Live Updates

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:48 AM GMT

      Trivedi J: This is settled law. But, their argument is that if PC Act goes, then there will be no reliance on S 4(3). Very foundation of going to special court will also go, and so will remand order.

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:46 AM GMT

      Rohatgi reads out from A Sreenivasa Reddy -

      "Thus, although in the present case, the appellant has been discharged from the offences punishable under the PC Act, 1988 yet for the IPC offences, he can be proceeded further in accordance with law."

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:42 AM GMT

      Rohatgi: What happens when Prevention of Corruption Act goes and only offences under the Indian Penal Code remain? There's a direct judgment on this point.

      Refers to A Sreenivasa Reddy (2023).

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:39 AM GMT

      Trivedi J: They are saying, if PC Act goes, then S 4(3) will also not apply.

      Rohatgi: This court has held that where there is an amalgamation of offences, then special judge will be able to try non-PC offences, if PC Act goes.

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:36 AM GMT

      Rohatgi: What happens where there's a PC Act and IPC offences? If allegations involve both, u/S4(3), special judge will have jurisdiction to try both. Assuming PC Act goes out, what happens? Not saying that it will...

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:34 AM GMT

      Rohatgi refers to #AndhraPradeshHC's ruling dismissing Naidu's quashing plea -

      "Earlier allegation will be governed by earlier law, and not S 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. That's the submission."

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:28 AM GMT

      Rohatgi referring to important dates -

      "[Naidu] files a S 482 petition (for quashing) within days of his arrest. Investigation qua him has barely started. The idea is to scuttle it in two days."

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:28 AM GMT

      Sr Adv Mukul Rohatgi begins his submission with a brief conspectus of the timeline of the case -

      "Offences predate 2018 amendment to the PC Act. Also, not a case of political vendetta because FIR was registered in 2021. In 2023, [Naidu] was added as an accused when material surfaced."

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:22 AM GMT

      Sr Adv Sidharth Luthra: In MP, some go to sessions court, but otherwise...

      Trivedi J: Even in MP, magistrate has to take cognizance.

      Salve: That's right. (Salve concludes)

    • 10 Oct 2023 6:21 AM GMT

      Bose J: Are all these magistrate-triable offence?

      Salve: Question of trying comes later. But at this stage...My friend says they are all magistrate-triable offences.

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