Bandi Sanjay’s Son Moves Telangana High Court for Anticipatory Bail After Being Declared Absconding

Hyderabad: Bandi Bhageerath, the 23-year-old son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The legal move follows the registration of a case against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The criminal petition was filed shortly after the Cyberabad police declared Bhageerath absconding, stating that his mobile phone had been switched off for over three days. The legal battle stems from two contrasting police complaints filed in quick succession late last week.

On Friday night, May 8, the mother of a 17-year-old girl approached the Petbasheerabad police station under the Cyberabad Commissionerate. The complainant alleged that Bhageerath had been harassing her daughter for more than six months and had misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in Moinabad under the false pretext of marriage. Acting on the complaint and verification of the girl’s age, the police booked Bhageerath under Section 11 (sexual harassment) of the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Hours before the POCSO case was registered, Bhageerath had filed a separate complaint at the Karimnagar Town-II police station. In his complaint, Bhageerath claimed that he was being targeted in a “honey-trap” and extortion conspiracy by the girl and her parents. He alleged that after he rejected their demands for marriage, the family threatened to ruin his reputation with false criminal charges. He further claimed he had already paid Rs. 50,000 out of fear, but the family subsequently escalated their demands, demanding Rs. 5 crore. Based on his complaint, the Karimnagar police registered an FIR against the girl’s parents for extortion and criminal intimidation.

The high-profile case has quickly escalated into a political flashpoint in Telangana. On Monday, May 11, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy intervened directly, questioning Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand over delays in the investigation since the initial complaints were made.

Following the Chief Minister’s directives to accelerate the probe without delay, special police teams were formed to track down the accused. Addressing the media, Kukatpally Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ritiraj confirmed that Bhageerath was currently untraceable. “Special teams have been formed, and we are analyzing call data records to locate the accused. The survivor’s initial statement has been recorded, and further investigation is actively underway,” the DCP stated.

Meanwhile, the Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally distanced itself from the controversy. Party representatives termed the development a purely “legal issue,” stating that it involves an individual and has no bearing on Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar or the party’s administrative standing.

Bhageerath’s anticipatory bail plea is expected to come up for a hearing before the High Court in the coming days, even as special police teams continue their search operations.