Konda Surekha’s OSD remains ‘absconding’ after uproar over midnight arrest attempt

Officer on Special Duty N. Sumanth remains untraceable following a police operation at Minister Konda Surekha’s residence. The episode, linked to extortion allegations and terminated services, has triggered political backlash, with no FIRs filed and mounting pressure on the Congress government.

Hyderabad: The whereabouts of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) N Sumanth remain unclear following a police operation at Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s residence on Wednesday night. The episode, intended to arrest Sumanth over alleged extortion and bribe demands, triggered a political stir, but there has been no further update after Thursday’s uproar and outburst from the Minister’s family.

The Task Force arrived at the Minister’s residence to take Sumanth into custody, but videos circulating on social media show Konda Surekha taking him away in her car in the presence of police.

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When asked about the police visit, Konda Surekha had said, “Following an extortion complaint by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy against Sumanth, the police arrived here.”

The controversy followed the State government’s termination of Sumanth’s services last Tuesday. Sumanth had been appointed OSD at the Pollution Control Board and deputed to the Forest Minister’s peshi. Though his contract was valid until December 16 this year, Sumanth’s service was terminated on October 14.

Reports suggest Sumanth allegedly demanded money from cement factory managements in the erstwhile Nalgonda district. The matter was raised with a senior Minister and then referred to the government. Sources said the police action followed instructions from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

However, there is no clarity on subsequent action, and police confirmed that no complaint was registered in Warangal. Similarly, no cases were reportedly filed in Nalgonda or Hyderabad.

On Thursday, the Congress government faced embarrassment after Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmita, alleged discrimination against her mother, involvement of the Chief Minister’s aide in Deccan Cement discussions, and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy instructing a bidder to withdraw from Medaram Jathara tenders.

Surekha met AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud on Thursday. Although speculation suggested she might meet the Chief Minister, no meeting has taken place so far, with Sumanth still remaining ‘at large’.