SIT Investigation Uncovers Details of Moinabad Farmhouse Drug Raid and Shooting Incident
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the recent Moinabad farmhouse drug bust has provided critical updates, revealing that Namit Sharma, who opened fire at police during the raid, is a Delhi-based businessman and a close friend of TDP MP P Mahesh Kumar, one of the accused in the case. According to the SIT, Sharma fired a .32 calibre revolver allegedly at the provocation of former Tandur MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy and his brother, Ritesh Reddy. Investigators emphasized that the probe is ongoing to fully ascertain Sharma's connection with the ex-MLA and the precise circumstances that led to the firing incident.
Details of the Raid and Arrests
Acting on a tip-off about a party involving drugs, sleuths of the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE), along with the Future City police, conducted a raid on Rohith Reddy's farmhouse on the night of March 14. The operation resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals. Drug screening tests conducted at the Institute of Mental Health in Erragadda revealed that six of the accused tested positive for drug abuse: four for cocaine, one for amphetamine and methamphetamine (suspected to be MDMA), and Sharma, who is suspected to have consumed both MDMA and cocaine.
Sequence of Events During the Raid
According to the remand report submitted in a local court in Chevella, Moinabad sub-inspector Md Nayeemuddin, upon reaching the farmhouse, informed the group that he had a search warrant. The report states, "When he said this, two of the accused—Rohith and Ritesh—instructed or abetted Sharma to open fire at the police. They told him to shoot if anything happened and assured him they would take care of the consequences. Acting on their instructions, Sharma fired one round from the revolver. Fortunately, the police team escaped unharmed. The SI and his team immediately apprehended Sharma and seized the revolver."
Background of the Accused and Drug Procurement
SIT sleuths disclosed that Sharma resides in Civil Lines, New Delhi, and is involved in the construction business. He had arrived at the farmhouse that night with Mahesh Kumar, a close friend of Rohith Reddy. The investigation further revealed that the cocaine was brought by another accused, Koushik Ravi, also a friend of Rohith, who purchased it a few days earlier from an unknown person in Shimla during a business meeting. The report noted that Sharma, Rohith, Ritesh, Koushik, and Arjun Reddy consumed cocaine mixed with alcohol.
As drug tests indicated possible consumption of MDMA by Sharma and Mahesh Kumar, the SIT is actively working to identify who procured this drug and whether any additional contraband was disposed of after the raid. Police have sought 10 days' custody of Rohith, Ritesh, and Sharma, who are currently in judicial remand, with the court likely to issue orders on Friday.
Profiles of Other Accused Individuals
According to SIT sources, among the other accused:
- Arjun Reddy is a friend of Rohith and is involved in the pub business in Hyderabad.
- Vijaya Krishna is a friend of Ritesh and was engaged in interior design work at the farmhouse.
- Priyanka is also a friend of Ritesh.
- Ramesh runs a poultry farm spread over one acre within the farmhouse premises.
- Sravan Kumar serves as Rohith's personal assistant.
The SIT continues to delve deeper into the connections and activities of all involved, aiming to build a comprehensive case against the accused in this high-profile drug bust.
