Complaint filed against Maganti Sunitha and family over ‘fraudulent family member certificate’

Hyderabad: A complaint has been lodged against BRS candidate for Jubilee Hills bypoll, Maganti Sunitha, and her children for allegedly obtaining a fraudulent Family Member (Legal Heir) Certificate in the name of late Maganti Gopinath.

The by-election in Jubilee Hills constituency was necessitated due to the death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. The BRS party has announced the late MLA’s wife, Maganti Sunitha, as its candidate.

Complaint by Maganti Gopinath’s son

The complaint was filed by Taraq Pradhumna Kosaraju, the son of the late Maganti Gopinath and Kosaraju Malini, currently residing in Dallas, USA.

In his representation to the Commissioner of Police, Taraq alleged that Sunitha and her children fabricated documents and provided false information to the Serilingampally Tahsildar’s office to secure a Family Member Certificate declaring themselves as the legal heirs of the deceased leader.

According to the complainant, the certificate — issued on July 4, 2025 (No. C/08/2025-262) — wrongfully described Maganti Sunitha as the ‘wife’ of the late Gopinath, while listing her children as heirs.

The names of Taraq and his mother, the only lawful heirs, were allegedly omitted.

‘Deliberate misrepresentation’

Following the discovery, Taraq and his mother filed a petition before the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Serilingampally Mandal, on August 25. A subsequent inquiry conducted by the Mandal Girdawar reportedly confirmed that late Maganti Gopinath’s wife was Kosaraju Malini as per law, and their marriage remained valid until his death.

The relationship between Gopinath and Sunitha was a live-in arrangement and did not constitute a legal marriage.

The Family Member Certificate was obtained through deliberate misrepresentation and suppression of material facts.

Acting on these findings, the RDO, Rajendranagar Division, issued an order (Ref. No. C/2100/2025, dated October 11, 2025) cancelling the certificate. The order described the document as ‘fraudulently obtained by suppressing the facts of the first marriage’ and declared it ‘null and void.’

Charges sought under forgery and cheating

The complainant has sought criminal action under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:

Section 463 – Forgery

Section 464 – Making a false document

Section 471 – Using a forged document as genuine

Section 420 – Cheating and dishonest inducement

Taraq has urged the police to register an FIR against the accused and to initiate a thorough investigation into the fraudulent acquisition and use of the forged certificate. He also requested that preventive measures be taken to stop the accused from selling or transferring his late father’s properties pending the investigation.

Awaiting police action

In his statement, Taraq mentioned that though he currently resides in the United States, he is prepared to cooperate with the investigation, either in person or via electronic communication. He emphasised that the fraudulent certificate was part of a deliberate attempt to ‘usurp legal heirship and gain unlawful control over the deceased’s assets.’

The Cyberabad Police are yet to respond to the complaint.

Fight at Serilingampally MRO

A long-brewing dispute within the Maganti family took a dramatic turn on Thursday when several family members appeared before the Serilingampally Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) in connection with a certificate cancellation controversy regarding a family member.

Key family members attend the inquiry

Those present at the MRO’s office included Maganti Malini Devi, her son Pradyumna Tarak and Gopinath’s mother, Mahanandakumari. On the other side, Gopinath’s younger daughter, Deeshira, attended the hearing along with an advocate representing Maganti Sunitha.

The MRO is said to have recorded statements from all the family members concerned during the hearing.

Gopinath mother’s shocking allegations against KTR

In a sensational statement, Gopinath’s mother, Mahanandakumari, alleged that former minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) was responsible for her son’s death.

“KTR is the reason behind my son’s death. He must answer for it,” she claimed emotionally. She further alleged that during her son’s three-day hospital stay, she was not allowed to see him.”

“Even as a 90-year-old mother, I wasn’t permitted to see my son one last time. KTR showed no mercy. He left a wound in my heart,” she said.

Support for grandson’s claim

Expressing her support for Pradyumna Tarak, Mahanandakumari affirmed that he is indeed Gopinath’s legitimate son and deserves his rightful share.

“Pradyumna Tarak is my grandson. He must get the rights that belong to Gopinath’s son. Sunitha did not even inform me about contesting the elections. They are being unfair to a fatherless child,” she remarked.

Truth will emerge soon, says Taraq

Speaking to reporters after the inquiry, Pradyumna Tarak said all necessary documents were submitted to the MRO and that a few clarifications were sought. “My grandmother stands by me in this fight. The truth will come out on the 25th of this month,” he said.

Reiterating his legal claim, he added, “My mother is Gopinath’s lawful wife. We have all the documents to prove it. We stayed away until now due to threats. I was even called urgently for the last rites. There was a spelling error in my name on my Tamil Nadu birth record, but that does not change the facts.”

The inquiry into the Maganti family’s internal dispute continues, with the MRO expected to make a decision later this month.