BRS leader’s son loses gun licence; rifle seized in deer poaching case
HYDERABAD: Forest officials in Khammam district have cancelled the gun licence of Mecha Raghu, son of a former MLA of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, after an inquiry found the weapon was allegedly used in deer poaching.
The rifle, fitted with a sniper scope, has been ordered to be deposited with the district police following the cancellation, officials said.
Incident occurred in Khammam, licence issued in Bhadradri Kothagudem
The poaching incident took place on November 24, 2025, inside the Neeladri Urban Forest Park. Raghu, the adopted son of former Aswaraopeta MLA Mecha Nageswara Rao, hails from Thati Subbanagudem in Dammapeta mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem, where the firearm was registered.
Inquiry points to repeated poaching
Khammam district forest officer Siddharth Vikram Singh said inquiries revealed that the November 24 incident was not an isolated case and that Raghu was in the habit of poaching wildlife.
Officials termed the licence cancellation and seizure of the rifle a significant step in curbing wildlife offences in the region.
