Overview

• The Telangana State Pollution Control Board terminated N. Sumanth’s contract on October 14 after fresh complaints of extortion and abuse of authority from cement-industry sources.
• A police Task Force arrived at Minister Konda Surekha’s Hyderabad residence late on October 15, her daughter confronted officers, and Surekha drove Sumanth away as police later said efforts were underway to trace him.
• The investigation focuses on allegations that Sumanth threatened Deccan Cements officials at gunpoint and wielded undue influence over departmental transfers, according to officials and reports.
• Signaling escalating turf disputes, the Chief Secretary directed that Medaram Jathara works worth about Rs 100 crore be moved from the Endowments Department to the Roads and Buildings Department.
• Surekha’s family accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and allies of a conspiracy linked to Rs 71 crore Jathara tenders, as party leaders engaged the AICC and police denied reports that her security had been withdrawn.