Bandi Sai Bageerath fails to appear before police in POCSO case

Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, failed to appear before police for questioning in a POCSO case registered at Pet-Basheerabad Police Station. Investigators have intensified the probe as his anticipatory bail plea is expected to come up for hearing

Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Sai Bageerath, failed to appear before police by the Wednesday afternoon deadline in connection with a POCSO case registered at the Pet-Basheerabad Police Station.

Police had earlier issued a notice to Bageerath on Tuesday directing him to appear before the investigating officer by 2 pm on Wednesday for questioning. However, till 4.30 pm, he had not appeared at the police station.

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It may be noted that the notice was served on his maternal uncle, Ch Vamshi Krishna, asking him to ensure the suspect’s appearance.

The case was originally booked on May 8 based on a complaint filed by the survivor’s mother, who alleged that Bageerath sexually assaulted the minor girl over a period of time after allegedly promising marriage. She also accused him of circulating the survivor’s photographs, leading to additional trauma.

Initially, police registered the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Following the survivor’s statement during the course of the investigation, the charges were revised to include aggravated penetrative sexual assault under stricter provisions of the POCSO Act.

Meanwhile, the suspect has moved the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail, and the petition is expected to come up for hearing on Thursday.

Senior police officials said the investigation is being closely monitored, with M Ramesh directing Ritiraj, DCP, Kukatpally, to personally supervise the probe.