Section
Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar claims to have voluntarily handed his son to police in a POCSO case, asserting equality before the law.
Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated on Saturday that he has "handed over" his son, Bandi Bhageerath, to the police regarding an ongoing investigation. The former chief of the BJP’s Telangana unit posted on X, emphasizing that "all are equal before the law." He noted that his son appeared before the Telangana Police through advocates for investigation, asserting that whether the accused is his son or a common citizen, everyone is treated equally. Bandi Sanjay clarified that while court orders are expected next week, he believed there should be no hesitation in cooperating with the inquiry, expressing complete faith in the justice system.
Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr M Ramesh disputed the characterization of the event as a surrender. He stated that Bandi Bhageerath was apprehended on the outskirts of Hyderabad and is being shifted to the police station for further legal procedures. Despite this, Bandi Sanjay maintained that his son himself appeared before the police and shared a photograph claiming to show Bhageerath leaving for questioning.
The development followed a day after the Telangana High Court declined to grant Bandi Bhageerath interim protection from arrest. Justice T Madhava Devi heard the matter until nearly midnight and indicated that orders would be issued on the next vacation court day. Bhageerath’s counsel had sought interim protection from arrest until the orders were pronounced. The Minister reiterated that after consulting legal experts and placing available evidence before them, they were advised to address the matter through the legal process.
The case was registered on May 8 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). This registration was based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. The complainant alleged that Bandi Bhageerath was in a relationship with her daughter and had sexually harassed the minor. After the victim’s statement was recorded, more stringent provisions of the POCSO Act were invoked in the case against the accused.
In response to these allegations, Bandi Bhageerath filed a counter-complaint with the police in Karimnagar. He alleged that the girl had invited him to family functions and group gatherings. An FIR was subsequently registered on his complaint. In this counter-complaint, Bandi Bhageerath stated that he accompanied the family on visits to certain holy places as part of a group of friends, believing them to be "trustworthy." He further alleged that the girl and her parents later pressured him to marry her.
When he refused their demands, he alleged that the family demanded money and threatened to file false complaints against him if he failed to pay. Bandi Bhageerath claimed that, out of fear, he paid Rs 50,000 to the girl’s father. However, he alleged that the family subsequently demanded Rs 5 crore. He also alleged that they threatened that the girl’s mother would die by suicide if he did not meet their demands.
The discrepancy between the Minister's claim of voluntary cooperation and the Police's statement of apprehension highlights the tense legal battle unfolding around the POCSO case. As the legal process continues, the upcoming court orders will be critical in determining the next steps for Bandi Bhageerath. The Minister’s insistence on respecting the judiciary, despite the apprehension claims, underscores the political sensitivity of the situation.
The resolution of this high-profile legal matter hinges on the upcoming court orders and the evaluation of both the original POCSO complaint and the counter-complaint regarding extortion. The juxtaposition of the Minister's public stance on legal equality with the Police's confirmation of apprehension suggests a complex legal narrative will unfold. As the judiciary reviews the evidence provided by both sides, the outcome will not only define the legal fate of Bandi Bhageerath but also test the integrity of the judicial process in high-profile political cases. The delay in justice, while inevitable in complex legal matters, will be closely watched by the public and political observers alike, potentially influencing future discourse on accountability for public figures.
Jun 11, 2026 17:21 UTC
Bangladesh Opposition Mobilizes Against India-Bangladesh Border Push-Ins and BSF Killings
Join 50,000+ readers getting the global briefing every morning.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jun 11, 2026 17:40 UTC
Boelter Pleads Guilty in Minnesota Political Assassinations
Jun 11, 2026 17:21 UTC
Bangladesh Opposition Mobilizes Against India-Bangladesh Border Push-Ins and BSF Killings
Jun 11, 2026 17:21 UTC
John Healey Quits as UK Defence Secretary Over Funding Dispute
Jun 11, 2026 16:19 UTC
UK Defence Secretary John Healey Quits Over Funding Dispute
