If the speculations doing rounds in the Andhra Pradesh political circles have to be believed, Telugu Desam Party general secretary Nara Lokesh is also likely to be arrested anytime.
Even as the high court is about to deliver its judgement on the quash petition filed by Lokesh’s father and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu in the alleged skill development scam, the Crime Investigation Department authorities are said to be preparing ground for the arrest of Lokesh for his alleged role in the AP Fibernet scam.
A couple of days ago, the CID included Naidu’s name as A-25 in the AP Fibernet scandal and the CID sought a prisoner transit (PT) warrant to interrogate him.
Naidu is presently in judicial remand in Rajamahendravaram Central Prison on judicial remand, which was extended by two more days on Tuesday.
Though the Fibernet scam doesn’t have Lokesh’s name till now, it is learnt the CID has gathered all the evidences to fix him in the scam and is likely to arrest him as soon as he returns to Vijayawada from New Delhi.
What lends credence to the rumours that the CID might arrest Lokesh at any moment is a post on the YSRCP’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
The post said: “Lokesh is camping in Delhi, afraid that he might be arrested. A mouse may hide in a hole for some time, but it would have come at one point in time or the other and become a meal for the cat. The law will not remain silent forever, even if Lokesh stays in Delhi in the name of eliciting support for Naidu from the national parties. The law will not leave those who commit a crime, even if one hides in space. At the most, it might take some time, but those who come up with scams and then script schemes to drum up sympathy cannot go scot-free.”
Apparently realising that he might also be arrested soon, Lokesh is reportedly discussing the issue with his lawyers the scope for the CID to frame charges against him in the Fibernet scam and if they would stand up to legal scrutiny.
Lokesh reportedly also discussed the chances of his father’s release from prison and his defence against the CID’s charges.