Union Minister Bandi Sanjay hands over sexual assault-accused son to cops

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son Bandi Bhageerath surrendered before Cyberabad police in a POCSO case after a look-out circular was issued against him, while the Telangana High Court refused interim protection from arrest.

In Short

• High Court refused protection from arrest to Bandi Bhageerath
• Complaint filed by girl's mother, alleging sexual harassment
• Bhageerath filed counter-complaint alleging extortion, threats

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bandi Bhageerath, surrendered before the police in a Pocso case based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl after the police issued a look-out circular against him to prevent him from fleeing the country.

In a statement, Bandi Sanjay Kumar said, "In connection with the allegations made against his son and out of respect for the law, he handed Bhageerath over through advocates for police investigation.

The Union Minister said that everyone is equal before the law, whether it is his son or an ordinary citizen, and added that everyone must abide by the law. Earlier, the BJP leader from Telangana insisted his family was being targeted and maligned.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar said his son has repeatedly maintained that he committed no wrongdoing. He said they initially intended to hand him over to the police immediately after the complaint was lodged. However, after consulting lawyers and presenting available evidence before them, the lawyers reportedly said the case would be dismissed and that bail would certainly be granted, which caused the delay.

He further said that even now the lawyers believe bail is likely to be granted. However, he decided not to delay the matter further and personally brought his son and handed him over through lawyers for investigation.

The minister said he has complete faith in the judiciary. He added that although court orders are expected on Monday, he sent his son for investigation out of respect for the judicial system and to ensure there was no further delay.

The Cyberabad police issued a look-out circular against Bhageerath after booking him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

Meanwhile, K Kavitha, president of Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS), wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the removal of Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister of State for Home Affairs, from the Union Cabinet to ensure a free and fair investigation into the case involving his son.

In a setback to Bhageerath, the Telangana High Court on Friday night refused to grant him interim protection from arrest. While hearing his interim anticipatory bail petition, the court said it was not inclined to pass any interim order at this stage.

Bhageerath’s counsel had sought interim protection from arrest until the court issued orders on the petition.

Police registered the case on May 8 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Pocso Act based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. The complaint alleged that Bhageerath was in a relationship with her daughter and sexually harassed her.

The complainant alleged that the relationship began around June 2025 through common acquaintances and continued over Instagram and Snapchat.

The mother alleged that Bhageerath gained the minor’s trust by promising marriage after she turned 18 and exerted emotional pressure on her. After recording the victim’s statement, police invoked more stringent sections of the Pocso Act in the case.

Bhageerath also lodged a counter-complaint. He alleged that the girl, who became acquainted with him, invited him to family functions and group gatherings. Police registered an FIR based on his complaint as well.

In his complaint, Bhageerath said he accompanied the girl’s family and a group of friends on visits to certain holy places because he believed the family was trustworthy.

He further alleged that the girl and her parents later pressured him to marry her. When he rejected the proposal, the girl’s parents allegedly demanded money and threatened to file false complaints against him if he did not pay.

Bhageerath claimed that he paid Rs 50,000 to the girl’s father out of fear, but the family later demanded Rs 5 crore. He also alleged that they threatened that the girl’s mother would commit suicide if he failed to meet their demands.

- Ends