Inside visuals of Hyderabad farmhouse: Surprise raid exposes politicians, businessmen at late-night drug party; 5 tests ‘positive’ | Hyderabad News
HYDERABAD: A day after former BRS MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy allegedly tested positive for drug consumption during a surprise raid at his farmhouse in Moinabad, investigators found that Putta Mahesh Kumar, the TDP MP from Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, also tested positive in the preliminary drug screening, according to news agency ANI.The alleged drug party, attended by politicians and businessmen, was busted late Saturday night when the Telangana police’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) carried out a surprise raid at the farmhouse in Moinabad in Rangareddy district.Party inside the farmhouseVisuals from the property show a large gated entrance leading into the farmhouse compound. Investigators said around 10 people were present at the farmhouse when the team arrived at about 9.30 pm following a tip-off about a gathering involving narcotics. Those present included Rohit Reddy, MP Putta Mahesh Kumar, businessmen and associates.
According to police, the guests were partying inside the farmhouse premises, with vehicles parked across the entry and parking area. During the search, officers recovered about two grams of ‘cocaine’.Officials also conducted on-the-spot narcotics screening tests on the people present.
Drug test resultsPolice said to news agency ANI, five of the 10 people tested positive in the preliminary drug screening.Those who reportedly tested positive include:
- Rohit Reddy
- Namit Mishra
- Ritesh Reddy
- Kaushik Ravi
- Arjun Reddy
All the individuals have been sent for confirmatory laboratory tests, officials said, adding that legal action will depend on the final reports.Gunshot during raidThe raid also witnessed a dramatic moment when Namit Sharma, a Delhi-based real estate businessman present at the party, allegedly fired a round from a pistol after the police team arrived.According to police, the firearm belongs to Ritesh Reddy, the younger brother of Rohit Reddy, and holds a valid licence. However, officers said it was Sharma who fired the shot when the police entered the premises.Resistance at gateSources in the police said the EAGLE team initially faced resistance while trying to enter the farmhouse. Security personnel at the property allegedly delayed the officers’ entry, forcing the team to call for assistance from a Special Operations Team before gaining access.
Once inside, the team detained the group and began searches across the farmhouse premises.High-profile gatheringOfficials said those present at the party included public representatives, real estate businessmen and other businesspersons. Among the 10 attendees were nine men and one woman.Police confirmed that further investigation into the case has been handed over to local authorities since the quantity of drugs recovered falls under the category of “small quantity” under narcotics laws.Farmhouse back in spotlightThe Moinabad farmhouse has previously figured in a high-profile political controversy. In October 2022, police had raided the same property following a complaint by Rohit Reddy and arrested three persons in an alleged cash-for-defection attempt involving ruling BRS legislators.Now, with fresh allegations of drug use emerging from the same location, investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the gathering and the roles of those present.Police said further action will be decided after detailed forensic reports and statements of those detained are examined.(With agency inputs)
