BRS calls out deliberate attempts to shield Bandi Sanjay’s son in POCSO case

BRS general secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar accused police of negligence and political interference in a POCSO case against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, alleging pressure on the victim’s family and media suppression, while demanding SIT probe and immediate arrest.

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar alleged serious police negligence and political interference in a POCSO case registered against Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay. He demanded immediate arrest of the accused and police protection for the victim.

In a statement, Praveen Kumar said the complainant approached Petbasheerabad police station around 6 pm on May 8, but no complaint was accepted for over five hours.

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He alleged that the complainant was pressured to alter her complaint on the grounds that influential persons were involved. Only after she threatened to take her life at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting on Sunday, he said the police issued only an acknowledgement.

The former IPS officer questioned why no arrest had been made despite a POCSO case being on record. “Under the POCSO Act, even if a minor girl consents to sex, it is invalid in law. Yet police have not acted against him,” he said.

He alleged that cases were filed against the victim in Karimnagar and that her family was receiving threats to withdraw the complaint.

Praveen Kumar demanded formation of an SIT under a DGP-rank woman officer, immediate recording of the victim’s and her mother’s statements before a magistrate, and suspension of officials allegedly facilitating the accused.

He accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of shielding Bandi Sanjay and questioned the silence of Congress leaders and women Ministers in the State Cabinet. He alleged that the media were being pressured to frame the case as a “honey trap” and suppress mention of the POCSO case.

The BRS leader said a BJP spokesperson facilitated a meeting between the victim’s family and the Union Minister in April, during which Bandi Sanjay allegedly rejected a marriage proposal, insulted the victim and her family, and issued threats.

He warned that BRS would intensify protests statewide if justice was denied to the victim or anticipatory bail sought for the accused.