Telangana High Court Allows Bandi Sanjay’s Son to Seek Regular Bail in POCSO Case

Hyderabad, May 2026 : The Telangana High Court on Thursday permitted Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, to file a regular bail petition in connection with a case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The development came after Bhageerath’s counsel sought permission to withdraw the anticipatory bail petition, informing the court that the accused had already been arrested by the police on May 16.

The High Court accepted the request and allowed the withdrawal of the anticipatory bail plea. The court also granted permission to Bhageerath’s legal team to move a regular bail petition before the appropriate court.

Earlier, on May 15, the High Court had declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Bhageerath while reserving its order on the anticipatory bail petition. The court was scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Thursday, but the petition was withdrawn before orders could be delivered.

The case against Bhageerath was registered at Pet Basheerabad Police Station on May 8 following allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor girl. Initially, the police booked the case under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

However, after the investigating officer reportedly interacted with the victim and gathered further details, the police invoked more stringent provisions of the POCSO Act. Subsequently, Section 5(1) read with Section 6, which pertains to aggravated penetrative sexual assault, was added to the FIR.

Police had earlier issued a notice directing Bhageerath to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. However, he did not appear on the scheduled date and instead sent a letter requesting additional time.

Following the High Court’s refusal to grant interim protection from arrest, police arrested Bhageerath on the night of May 16.

While the police maintained that he was arrested during the investigation, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed that his son had voluntarily surrendered before the authorities. According to him, Bhageerath was accompanied by two lawyers at the time of surrender.

Police officials stated that during questioning, Bhageerath admitted to the offence, after which he was formally arrested.

He was later produced before a magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Bhageerath is currently lodged in Cherlapally Central Jail.

The case has attracted significant political and public attention due to the involvement of the Union Minister’s family member and the serious nature of the allegations under the POCSO Act.

Team Maverick.