Source TOI
HYDERABAD – A dramatic late-night raid at a farmhouse in Moinabad has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE), in coordination with local police, busted a private gathering late Saturday night, confirming that six individuals—including a sitting Member of Parliament and a former legislator—tested positive for narcotics consumption.
The Raid and Resistance
Acting on a specific tip-off regarding the consumption of banned substances, the EAGLE force descended upon the VMR Farmhouse in Moinabad, owned by former BRS MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy, around 9:30 PM.
The operation was marked by high drama as security personnel and Reddy himself allegedly resisted the officers’ entry, forcing the team to call for reinforcements from the Special Operations Team (SOT). Once inside, police discovered 11 individuals—ten men and one woman—engaged in a “weekend networking event” that involved premium liquor and narcotics.
Key Findings and Arrests
Authorities seized approximately two grams of cocaine and several bottles of foreign liquor from the premises. During the raid, a firearm was also discharged; investigators identified Namith Sharma, a Delhi-based businessman, as the person who allegedly fired rounds into the air. The weapon reportedly belongs to Rohith Reddy’s brother.
Those who tested positive for drug consumption include:
Putta Mahesh Kumar: TDP MP from Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.
Pilot Rohith Reddy: Former BRS MLA (Tandur).
Pilot Ritesh Reddy: Brother of Rohith Reddy.
Namith Sharma: Delhi-based businessman.
Kaushik Ravi: Advocate from Bengaluru.
Tiruveedula Arjun Reddy: Hyderabad-based businessman.
Note on Testing: Putta Mahesh Kumar initially tested negative in a preliminary urine screening at the site. However, a subsequent confirmatory blood test conducted at a local hospital returned a positive result for cocaine.
Political Fallout
The incident has ignited a fierce political battle. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which has campaigned heavily on a “Zero Tolerance” policy toward drugs in Andhra Pradesh, now finds itself on the defensive. While the party has called for a fair inquiry, Mahesh Kumar was granted station bail on Sunday, citing the ongoing Parliament session.
Former MLA Rohith Reddy and other accused individuals are being produced before a magistrate. This is notably the same farmhouse that was at the center of the 2022 “cash-for-defection” case involving BRS MLAs.
Investigation Status:
| Evidence Seized | Status |
| :— | :— |
| Narcotics | 2 grams of Cocaine sent to FSL |
| Firearms | .32 Revolver and empty shells seized |
| Arrests | 6 positive cases; 11 total detentions |
The Moinabad police have registered cases under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the cocaine and whether the drugs were brought from outside the state.
