Officials from the Serilingampally revenue division reportedly initiated verification of a Family Member Certificate issued in Sunitha’s name.
Published Nov 07, 2025 | 11:44 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 07, 2025 | 11:44 AM
Maganti Sunitha Gopinath.
Synopsis: With just days left for the Jubilee Hills by-election, questions are being raised over the marital status of BRS nominee Maganti Sunitha, who has been described as the widow of the late MLA Maganti Gopinath. The controversy began after Tarak Pradhumna Kosaraju, who identifies himself as Gopinath’s son from his first marriage to Malini Devi, complained to election authorities that Sunitha is not the deceased legislator’s legally wedded wife.
The Jubilee Hills by-election in Hyderabad has taken a contentious turn after questions were raised over the marital status of BRS nominee Maganti Sunitha, who has been described as the widow of the late MLA Maganti Gopinath.
The controversy began after Tarak Pradhumna Kosaraju, who identifies himself as Gopinath’s son from his first marriage to Malini Devi, complained to election authorities that Sunitha is not the deceased legislator’s legally wedded wife. He alleged that she had submitted “false information” in her nomination affidavit, particularly regarding her relationship with Gopinath and her share in his declared assets.
Sunitha’s nomination was accepted by the Returning Officer of the Jubilee Hills constituency, and her name appears on the final list of candidates. Her affidavit, available on the Election Commission’s official website, lists movable and immovable assets worth several crores of rupees.
Following the complaint, officials from the Serilingampally revenue division reportedly initiated verification of a Family Member Certificate (FMC) issued in Sunitha’s name. Mahananda Kumari, the 92-year-old mother of the late Gopinath, appeared before the Serilingampally Deputy Collector and Tahsildar in connection with the FMC inquiry.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Pradhumna alleged that Sunitha is not the legally wedded wife of his father, Gopinath, but his mother is Malini Devi.
Mahananda Kumari said that when her son was in the ICU in the hospital, she was not allowed to visit him.
“I was not even informed when my son was admitted to the hospital. When I sought help from BRS leader KT Rama Rao, who was in the hospital at that time, he refused to help her. I am 92 years old. Is it right to deny a mother the chance to see her son on his deathbed?” Kumari said.
Kumari maintains that Malini Devi was Gopinath’s legally wedded wife. She said that the authorities were reviewing the Family Member certificate issued to Sunitha and that she and her son had appeared as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Meanwhile, BRS leaders and cadres have accused the Congress of raising the issue to malign the image of Sunitha and the BRS. “The Congress is trying to use personal matters to gain sympathy votes because it fears losing Jubilee Hills,” a senior BRS functionary said.
On social media, photographs purportedly showing Gopinath and Sunitha in wedding attire, with Gopinath’s mother seen blessing the couple, have been widely circulated by BRS supporters to assert the legitimacy of Sunitha’s marriage.
Another picture showing Gopinath and Sunitha celebrating their children’s birthday, with Gopinath’s mother helping a child cut the cake, has also gone viral.
Party supporters have questioned the timing of the fresh allegations. “Why did Gopinath’s mother remain silent all these years and suddenly speak about this now, just days before the November 11 by-election?” asked one BRS activist on social media. “Would the Congress stoop so low to attack a woman for political gain? Has the fear of defeat become that desperate?”
The revenue inquiry into the FMC and the complaint before the Election Commission are still pending.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
