BRS approaches child rights and women’s commissions over POCSO case against Bandi Sanjay’s son

BRS women leaders submitted representations to the Telangana child rights and women’s commissions seeking intervention in the POCSO case involving Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, alleging selective policing, diluted charges and intimidation of the victim’s family

Hyderabad: BRS women leaders approached the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR), seeking intervention in the POCSO case involving Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. They also submitted a representation to the Telangana State Commission for Women in this regard.

A delegation led by former Zilla Parishad chairperson Tula Uma submitted a detailed representation to both the Commissions on Monday, alleging dilution of charges, police inaction, intimidation of the victim’s family and abuse of political influence in the investigation.

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In its representation, the BRS alleged that the mother of the minor victim had lodged a complaint at Petbasheerabad police station on May 8 detailing allegations of sexual harassment, coercion, intimidation and exploitation against Bageerath. The complainant alleged repeated acts of sexual harassment, molestation, coercive physical advances, emotional manipulation, digital harassment, and exploitation of the minor over a prolonged period.

The BRS women leaders alleged that despite the gravity of the allegations, the police allegedly registered only limited offences under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act. They said no arrest had been made and no custodial interrogation initiated against the accused.

They said no meaningful or visible action had been taken against the accused, while a counter-complaint filed by Bageerath against the girl and her parents was acted upon immediately by Karimnagar Two Town police through registration of an FIR.

Speaking to mediapersons, Tula Uma said the sequence of events indicated selective policing, deliberate dilution of offences and retaliatory criminal proceedings intended to intimidate the victim’s family. She urged the Commissions to order an independent and impartial investigation, recommend addition of stringent provisions of the POCSO Act, ensure protection for the victim and her family, and recommend action against erring police officers allegedly responsible for shielding the accused.

Meanwhile, TSCPCR chairperson Kothakota Seetha Dayakar Reddy informed the BRS delegation that she took the case as a suo moto and issued notices to Cyberabad Police Commissioner seeking details of the case and action taken report. State Women’s Commission chairperson Nerella Sharada also assured to examine the matter.