Month ahead of wedding, son of TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy dies of cardiac arrest

“Chandramouli Reddy was brought to our emergency room after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on 18 December 2022… He is in an extremely critical state and is on multiple organ support,” a medical bulletin said on Monday.

The young man was preparing for his wedding, scheduled for 26 January. He was engaged to the daughter of J Sekhar Reddy, an industrialist in Tamil Nadu.

The hospital bulletin announcing the death of Chandramouli Reddy. (Supplied)

“As per his previously expressed pledge, eye donation was facilitated,” Dr Aravindan Selvarajan, the executive director of the hospital, said in another bulletin on Wednesday.

Sources close to Dharma Reddy said that Chandramouli suffered a massive cardiac arrest while returning from a relative’s place after inviting them to his wedding.

Dharma Reddy, who was in Hyderabad, rushed to Chennai after hearing about his son’s cardiac arrest.

Chandramouli was employed with a multinational firm in Chennai. He was also preparing for the UPSC examinations.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condoled the sudden demise of Chandramouli.

Dharma Reddy close to YS family

Dharma Reddy, who was previously an Indian Defence Estate Services  (IDES) officer, is close to the YS family.

He came to Andhra Pradesh on deputation during the rule of YS Rajasekhara Reddy and served as the executive officer of the TTD.

He later returned to his parent service. However, after Jagan came to power, Dharma Reddy, too, returned to the state.

AV Dharma Reddy

The TTD’s executive officer’s post is usually reserved for senior IAS officers.

However, the YSRCP government made Dharma Reddy an additional executive officer and later elevated him to the office of the executive officer.

His elevation showed his clout in the government.

Almost every IAS officer dreams of serving at least one term in TTD, as it allows them to network with VVIPs from across the country visiting the Tirumala temple. Many consider it a service to the Lord.

Who is Sekhar Reddy?

Chandramouli Reddy was to marry Sekhar Reddy’s daughter on 26 January.

Sekhar Reddy, whose business interests range from sand mining to real estate, is also a member of the TTD’s advisory council. He is politically influential in both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Sekhar’s appointment to the TTD Trust as a special invitee after the YSRCP took power snowballed into a  controversy, with the Opposition TDP questioning his appointment.

In 2016, the TDP government removed Sekhar Reddy as a member of the TTD after an income tax search unearthed a huge amount of cash and gold from his residence in Chennai.

He was also arrested by the CBI for tax evasion. He was granted bail after spending 87 days in prison.

J Sekhar Reddy

However, in December 2020, a special CBI court closed all cases against Sekhar Reddy and five others.

They were booked for causing a loss of ₹247.13 crore to the government by illegally converting the demonetised currency. They were acquitted for lack of evidence.

Sekhar Reddy was also a major donor for a facility named Saptha Gopradakshinashala on the foothills of Tirumala. Jagan inaugurated the facility.