Telangana Police Arrest Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s Son in POCSO Case After High Court Refuses Relief
Telangana Police on Saturday evening arrested Bandi Sai Bhageerath, the son of Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The arrest took place just hours after authorities issued a Lookout Circular (LoC) against him.
According to police officials, Bhageerath has been accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl over several months between October and December 2025.
Investigators said the accused and the minor had reportedly become acquainted through mutual friends in June 2025.
Cyberabad Commissioner of Police M Ramesh said the accused was apprehended at around 8.15 pm on Saturday following an extensive search operation.
After his arrest, he was taken to Petbasheerabad police station for further legal procedures.
Police officials stated that Bhageerath would undergo a medical examination before being produced before a local magistrate in Hyderabad.
Soon after the arrest, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar issued a public statement claiming that he himself had facilitated his son’s surrender before the police through legal counsel.
In the statement, the minister said he respected the rule of law and believed that everyone must be treated equally before the law, regardless of status or personal relations.
He further stated that although his son has consistently denied all allegations, the family chose to cooperate fully with the investigation process.
The complaint against Bhageerath was originally lodged on May 8, following which Telangana Police launched a search operation to trace him.
His arrest came a day after the Telangana High Court declined to grant him interim protection from arrest.
In her complaint, the girl’s mother alleged that Bhageerath repeatedly subjected her daughter to sexual abuse and emotional manipulation.
She further accused him of isolating the girl and attempting to influence decisions related to her education and future.
Initially, police registered a case against him under charges related to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, along with sexual harassment and provisions of the POCSO Act.
However, after recording the victim’s statement, investigators added the more serious charge of aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister maintained that his son was innocent and insisted that there was no intention to evade the law.
He said the family had initially sought legal advice after the complaint was filed and presented available evidence before their lawyers.
According to the minister, the legal team believed the case could eventually be quashed and that bail would likely be granted, which resulted in some delay before Bhageerath was formally handed over to the police.
On Friday night, the Telangana High Court refused to provide interim protection from arrest to Bhageerath during the hearing of his petition.
Appearing on his behalf, senior advocate S Niranjan Reddy argued that police should be restrained from arresting him immediately and suggested that strict interim conditions could instead be imposed.
However, after hearing arguments for over two hours, Justice T Madhavi Devi declined to pass any interim order in his favour.
The judge observed that she had briefly reviewed the victim’s statement and was not inclined to grant protection from arrest at that stage of the case.
