TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar, BRS leader detained over ‘illegal party’ at farmhouse; Delhi man ‘fires in air’ when police arrive

Chevella Deputy Commissioner of Police Yogesh Gautam said police received a tip-off that an “illegal party” was going on at the farmhouse, and that drugs were potentially involved. Following this, a team raided the farmhouse, but on seeing police, businessman Namit Sharma allegedly snatched a gun belonging to Ritesh Reddy — the younger brother of former MLA Rohith Reddy — and fired in the air. Ritesh Reddy has a valid gun license, but it was Sharma who allegedly fired it, leading to the latter’s arrest.

The gun and several rounds of bullets were seized.

At 37, Putta Mahesh Kumar is one of the TDP’s youngest MPs. The first-time MP from the Eluru Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh is from a family that has been associated with the TDP for decades. His father, Sudhakar, was an MLA from Mydukur Assembly constituency. Mahesh completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from JNTU, Hyderabad.

On Sunday, the TDP issued a notice to Mahesh. The notice, issued by TDP Andhra Pradesh president Palla Srinivasa Rao, said Mahesh should stay away from party programmes until a comprehensive report is received. He was also told to provide a written explanation on the allegations within five days, and that the party high command would take action based on the explanation.

The alleged party occurred at the same farmhouse where a controversial sting operation was conducted in October 2022, and three people were arrested for allegedly trying to lure BRS MLAs into joining the BJP.