Hyderabad: TDP puts Eluru MP Putta Mahesh on notice over Moinabad farmhouse drug bust

Amaravati: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has directed its Eluru MP, Putta Mahesh Kumar, to stay away from party activities after he was linked to a drug case.

This follows a police raid at his farmhouse in Moinabad near Hyderabad.

Facing heat, the party sought a written explanation from the MP

The action came even as the MP denied allegations that he consumed drugs at the gathering. He said he had only attended the event to meet friends for dinner.

TDP seeks clarification from MP

Taking serious note of the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the party leadership to seek an explanation from the MP.

Following this, TDP Andhra Pradesh president Palla Srinivasa Rao issued a notice to Putta Mahesh Kumar, asking him to submit a written clarification within five days regarding the allegations.

The party also instructed the MP to stay away from party activities until a detailed report is received and the matter is examined.

Srinivasa Rao stated that the party leadership has taken seriously the allegations that the MP consumed drugs at the Moinabad farmhouse on March 14 and the extensive media coverage of the incident, which could potentially harm the party’s image.

According to party sources, Chandrababu Naidu made it clear that such activities by party leaders will not be tolerated and that the party should not suffer due to the mistakes of individuals.

MP denies drug consumption

Meanwhile, Putta Mahesh Kumar rejected the allegations and said he had not done anything wrong.

In a video statement released after he was granted station bail, the MP said he had attended the gathering only to meet friends over dinner and urged people not to believe rumours circulating in the media and on social platforms.

He said he has no bad habits and that people in his constituency know his character well. The MP added that he would never betray the trust placed in him by the public and the party.

Mahesh Kumar also assured that he would cooperate fully with the investigation and present all facts before the people.

Police raid at farmhouse party

The controversy began after Telangana police’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) conducted a raid at a farmhouse owned by former BRS MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy in Moinabad on Saturday night following credible information.

Police found 11 people, including a woman, at the party and detained them for questioning. Drug tests were conducted as part of the investigation.

Drug tests and arrests

According to officials, urine tests conducted on those present at the farmhouse initially showed that several individuals, including Rohit Reddy, tested positive for drugs.

Later, a blood test conducted on Putta Mahesh Kumar also reportedly returned a positive result.

Those who tested positive include Rohit Reddy, Putta Mahesh Kumar, Namith Sharma, Ritesh Reddy, Koushik Ravi, and Tiruveedula Arjun Reddy.

Police later issued notices to several accused persons and released Mahesh Kumar and some others on station bail.

However, Rohit Reddy, his brother Ritesh Reddy, and Namith Sharma, a Delhi-based businessman who allegedly fired a round from a revolver when police attempted to enter the farmhouse, were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

Case registered under multiple laws

Police registered a case at Moinabad Police Station under various provisions of the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Telangana State Excise Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The case includes Sections 8(C), 22(A), 27, and 29 of the NDPS Act, 25(1-B)(a) and 30 of the Arms Act, Section 34(a) of the Telangana State Excise Act, and Sections 109 and 131 read with 3(5) of the BNS.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will depend on forensic reports and evidence gathered during the probe.