Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, May 16: The Telangana High Court on Saturday declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The matter came up before the single-judge vacation bench of Justice T. Madhavi Devi, who heard arguments for nearly five-and-a-half hours before concluding proceedings close to midnight. After examining the victim’s statement, the court observed that it was not inclined to pass any interim order in favour of the petitioner. Final orders in the matter are likely to be delivered next week.
During the hearing, the defence questioned whether the complainant was a minor. In response, the victim’s counsel submitted her Class 10 academic certificate before the court to establish her age.
The case was registered on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station following allegations made by a 17-year-old girl, who accused Bhageerath of sexually assaulting her at a farmhouse in Moinabad. Initially, police booked the accused under Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Later, after Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj recorded additional details from the victim, investigators invoked stricter provisions under the law. Police added Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, relating to aggravated penetrative sexual assault, which carries a punishment that can extend up to 20 years of imprisonment or more.
Bhageerath was asked to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. However, he reportedly skipped the appearance and instead sought two additional days through a written request submitted to police.
In a parallel development, the accused filed a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the girl’s family attempted to extort Rs 5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case.
Meanwhile, the City Civil Court in Hyderabad issued interim directions ordering the removal of allegedly defamatory material targeting Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar across print, electronic, and digital platforms.
The court acted on a petition filed by the minister, who alleged that a coordinated campaign was being carried out to damage his reputation through misleading and defamatory content linked to the case involving his son.
The court directed media platforms and intermediaries to remove videos, newspaper clippings, online posts, and wall posters deemed objectionable. It further restrained television channels, digital platforms, and social media users from airing or circulating defamatory material against the minister until further orders.
The court also warned that violations of its directives could invite action under the Contempt of Courts Act and other applicable laws.
Amid the ongoing controversy, Bandi Sanjay’s mother, Shakuntala, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest in Karimnagar. She was later shifted to a private hospital in Hyderabad, where the minister visited her and reviewed her medical condition.