Meet Sudha Reddy of Megha Engineering: Met Gala’s 200-carat diamond wearer and her connection to electoral bonds

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

The Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) donated the highest amount of about ₹586 crore to the BJP, according to the data released by the Election Commission on March 21.

Indian businesswoman and philanthropist Sudha Reddy has garnered national attention for a stunning appearance at the Met Gala 2024, adorning an exquisite 200-carat diamond necklace, worth crores.

Reddy heads the Sudha Reddy Foundation and the organisation’s website also lists her as a Director at the privately held Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), a firm that drew scrutiny recently for purchasing electoral bonds worth ₹966 crore with 60% of that going to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Hyderabad-based infra major donated the highest amount of about ₹586 crore to the BJP, according to the data released by the Election Commission on March 21.

The company also donated ₹195 crore to BRS, ₹85 crore to DMK, and ₹37 crore to YSRCP. The TDP got about ₹25 crore from the company, while the Congress got ₹7 crore. The JD-S, Jana Sena Party and the JD-U got smaller sums ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore.

The centrepiece of Reddy’s lavish ensemble was the “Amore Eterno” necklace, crafted with 25 solitaires totalling over 180 carats. It features a 25-carat heart-shaped diamond surrounded by three additional 20-carat heart-shaped diamonds, symbolising her husband and two children, according to the designer Farah Khan’s Instagram post.

But the extravagance didn’t stop there. Reddy adorned herself with a 23-carat diamond solitaire ring and a 20-carat diamond solitaire ring, reportedly worth $20 million (approximately ₹165 crore).

Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Reddy made her debut at the Met Gala in 2021 in a haute couture gown by ace designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock. She tied the knot with MEIL promoter and managing director, Megha Krishna Reddy, at the age of 19.

This year, her outfit by Tarun Tahiliani took over 4,500 hours of meticulous craftsmanship by more than 80 artisans. According to the designer, the ivory silk gown featured a hand-embroidered image of Mughal royalty on the corset, inspired by old Mughal gardens.

Also read: Webstory | Indian Billionaire Sudha Reddy stuns in Tarun Tahiliani ensemble at Met Gala

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