Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has apprehended a city-based doctor in connection with the Moinabad farmhouse drug bust. Police said the interventional radiologist, who operates a hospital in Banjara Hills, allegedly supplied MDMA to other accused individuals who were partying at a farmhouse owned by former BRS MLA Rohith Reddy. As the doctor did not test positive for drug consumption, he was released after being served a notice. He has been directed to appear for further questioning when required.“The doctor is a friend of Rohith and runs a hospital in Banjara Hills,” an SIT official stated. “On the day of the gathering, the contraband was collected from him by Ather, who is the driver of Koushik Ravi, one of the 11 accused in the case.”On March 14, the SIT, along with the Future City police, conducted a raid at the Moinabad farmhouse and arrested 11 individuals. Drug tests revealed that five of them—Rohith Reddy, his brother Ritesh, Delhi-based businessman Namit Sharma, Rohith’s friend and pub operator Arjun Reddy, and Bengaluru-based advocate and businessman Koushik Ravi—had consumed cocaine, while TDP MP P. Mahesh Kumar tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, suspected to be MDMA.Police further stated that Namit Sharma tested positive for multiple drugs and allegedly opened fire at the police using a licensed weapon belonging to Ritesh.“During their three-day custody, Rohith, Ritesh, and Namit did not disclose the doctor’s identity. However, phone call records between Rohith and the doctor, along with statements from other accused, helped establish his role in the case,” the SIT official added. On March 18, the doctor was picked up from a residence in Jubilee Hills, Road No. 35, which he had reportedly rented for Rs 60,000 per month. “The doctor owns a house in Ameerpet, but the Jubilee Hills flat was being used for parties,” an SIT source said. No drugs were found in his possession, and he tested negative in a 12-panel urine drug test.Subsequently, the police issued him a notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS, directing him to cooperate with the investigation as required.Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend three absconding accused—Rakesh Varma, Abhishek Singh, and Ather. Investigations suggest that Rohith’s driver, Sharat, collected the contraband from Abhishek, an associate of Rakesh, and transported it to the farmhouse. Ather is believed to have carried the MDMA from the doctor to the venue.SIT officials have also sought an extension of the custody of Rohith, Ritesh, and Namit. The Rajendranagar court has posted the matter for arguments on Monday and sent the trio back to Chanchalguda prison in judicial remand till April 8.
