POCSO case: Bandi Sanjay’s son cites short notice, seeks more time to appear before police

The investigation into the POCSO case against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Sai Bageerath, saw no progress as he sought more time to appear before police. Protests erupted outside Petbasheerabad police station demanding his arrest, while he approached the Telangana High Court for anticipatory bail.

Hyderabad: Investigation into the POCSO case registered against Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar did not make any progress on Wednesday, despite the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) keeping up the pressure on the police department seeking immediate arrest of Bageerath.

The Union Minister’s son, who was directed to present himself before the investigating officer on Wednesday, however, submitted a representation seeking two more days’ time.

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In the letter, he maintained that he was willing to cooperate fully with the police, but could not appear on the scheduled date due to personal inconvenience and the short notice period. He also said he needed time to gather documents and other material that, according to him, would help clarify the allegations.

The police had issued a notice asking him to appear by 2 pm for questioning on Wednesday. Speculations were rife since morning on the suspect presenting himself before the investigators or seeking an excuse to postpone it while working out ways to wriggle out of the situation.

A battery of cameramen and dozens of journalists braved the scorching sun while waiting at the Petbasheerabad police station hoping to get a quote and some visuals of Bageerath.

The sensational case was registered on May 8, following a complaint lodged by the mother of a minor girl, who accused Bageerath of sexually assaulting her daughter over a period of time after allegedly luring her with a promise of marriage. The complainant also alleged that photographs of the survivor were circulated, intensifying the trauma faced by the victim.

Based on the initial complaint, police booked the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. After recording the survivor’s statement, investigators altered the sections of law, making it more stringent under the POCSO Act.

Sources said the notice to appear was served through Bageerath’s maternal uncle, and police had directed the family to ensure his presence for questioning. Meanwhile, Bageerath has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail, and his petition is likely to come up for hearing on Thursday.

Senior police officials said the probe is being monitored at a high level, with instructions issued for close supervision of the investigation.

Meanwhile, mild tension prevailed outside the Pet-Basheerabad police station earlier in the day, after women leaders of the IFTU staged a protest demanding the immediate arrest of Bageerath.

The protestors also demanded that Bandi Sanjay be removed from his Union minister post. Leaders from IFTU, along with members of PDSU and POW women’s organisations, joined the demonstration in front of the police station.

The protestors condemned the sexual assault of a minor girl allegedly by Bageerath and demanded strict action and immediate arrest of Bageerath. As the situation turned tense, police detained several protestors and shifted them from the spot.