Telangana High Court Refuses Interim Protection to Bandi Sanjay’s Son in POCSO Case

Hyderabad, May 2026 : The Telangana High Court has refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The matter was heard by the single-judge vacation bench of Justice T. Madhavi Devi, who conducted lengthy proceedings that continued until around midnight. After hearing arguments from both sides for nearly five-and-a-half hours, the court declined to grant any interim relief to the petitioner.

Justice Madhavi Devi observed that after examining the victim’s statement and the material placed before the court, she was not inclined to pass any interim order in favour of the accused at this stage. The court, however, indicated that detailed orders on the plea may be delivered next week.

During the hearing, counsel representing Bhageerath reportedly questioned whether the complainant was legally a minor. In response, the victim’s counsel submitted her Class 10 memorandum before the court to establish her age.

The case against Bhageerath was registered on May 8 at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station following allegations made by a 17-year-old girl accusing him of sexual assault at a farmhouse in Moinabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Based on the complaint, police initially booked the accused under Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The investigation later intensified after Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj reportedly interacted with the victim to gather further details regarding the allegations. Following this interaction, police invoked more stringent provisions of the POCSO Act.

Authorities subsequently added Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the Act to the FIR. These sections relate to aggravated penetrative sexual assault and carry severe punishment, including imprisonment extending up to 20 years or more.

Police had earlier served a notice directing Bhageerath to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. However, he did not appear before investigators and instead sent a written communication seeking an extension of two days to comply with the notice.

Meanwhile, the accused also lodged 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 criminal case.

In a parallel development linked to the controversy, the City Civil Court issued directions for the removal of allegedly defamatory material targeting Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar across various media and digital platforms.

The court passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the Union Minister seeking protection of his constitutional rights to dignity and reputation. In his plea, Bandi Sanjay alleged that a malicious and sustained campaign involving false and defamatory publications was being carried out against him in connection with the POCSO case involving his son.

The civil court directed that videos, digital content, newspaper clippings and wall posters allegedly carrying defamatory material against the Minister be removed immediately.

The court also restrained digital and satellite television channels, social media platforms and online intermediaries from broadcasting or circulating objectionable or defamatory content concerning Bandi Sanjay until further orders.

Additionally, the court warned that strict legal action could be initiated under the Contempt of Courts Act and other applicable laws against any individual or organisation violating the order.

Meanwhile, in a related personal development, Bandi Sanjay’s mother, Shakuntala, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest in Karimnagar amid the ongoing controversy.

She was later shifted to a private hospital in Hyderabad for advanced medical treatment. The Union Minister visited the hospital and enquired about her health condition.

The case has generated significant political and public attention in Telangana, with both legal proceedings and media scrutiny continuing to intensify.

Team Maverick