SIT Continues Questioning in POCSO Case; Court Production of Bandi Bhageerath Likely Today

Hyderabad, May 2026 : Cyberabad police continued intensive questioning of Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son Bandi Bhageerath for the third consecutive day on Friday in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused is expected to be produced before the trial court at Malkajgiri later in the day.

According to police officials, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been interrogating Bandi Bhageerath at Pet Basheerabad Police Station, where the case was originally registered on May 8. The SIT, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj, is said to be examining him based on witness statements, victim testimony, and digital evidence collected during the investigation.

Officials confirmed that his three-day police custody ends on Friday, following which he will be produced before the court. The interrogation reportedly includes cross-verification of statements and analysis of technical evidence, including data retrieved from his seized mobile phone.

Police sources said Bhageerath was brought from Cherlapally Central Prison, where he has been lodged since his arrest on May 16, for custodial interrogation. Before questioning began, he underwent a medical examination at Osmania General Hospital.

As part of the investigation, the SIT also took the accused to a farmhouse in Moinabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad for scene recreation and verification of events linked to the allegations. Officials stated that this exercise was conducted to corroborate details provided during the investigation and to better understand the sequence of events.

During the three-day custodial interrogation, investigators have reportedly been questioning him based on the statement of the minor victim and other individuals connected to the case. Police teams are also analysing digital footprints, communication records, and other electronic evidence gathered from multiple devices.

The case against Bhageerath was registered on May 8 under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act, along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following allegations of sexual assault on a minor girl. After further examination and interaction with the victim, police later invoked Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which pertains to aggravated offences.

Earlier in the case, police had issued a notice directing Bhageerath to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. However, he did not appear and instead sought additional time through a written request. Subsequently, after the High Court declined to grant interim protection, police arrested him on the night of May 16.

Following his arrest, Bhageerath was produced before a magistrate the same night and was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. He has remained in custody since then, with investigators continuing their probe through custodial interrogation and evidence gathering.

Police sources indicated that based on findings from the three-day interrogation, the SIT may seek an extension of judicial custody to further question the accused and confront him with additional evidence.

Meanwhile, while Bandi Sanjay Kumar has maintained that his son surrendered before police, Cyberabad police officials have stated that Bhageerath was arrested following due legal procedure after prima facie evidence emerged during the investigation.

The matter remains under active investigation, with officials stating that all evidence—digital, forensic, and testimonial—is being carefully examined before the case is presented further in court proceedings.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)