Telangana HC grants conditional bail to Bandi Bageerath in POCSO case

The Telangana High Court granted conditional bail to Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a POCSO case. The Court imposed strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, executing a bond and refraining from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence

Legal Correspondent
Hyderabad: Justice K Sujana of the Telangana High Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, subject to a series of conditions aimed at ensuring the integrity of the trial.

Allowing the criminal petition, the Court directed the accused to surrender his passport before the trial court concerned, execute a personal bond for Rs 1 lakh, and furnish two sureties for a like sum of Rs 1 lakh each. The Court further restrained Bageerath from threatening, influencing, inducing or contacting prosecution witnesses, tampering with evidence, or engaging in any act that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or the trial. He was also directed to cooperate with the investigating agency and comply with all other conditions imposed by the Court.

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The case arises out of allegations made by a 17-year-old girl, who accused Bageerath of repeatedly subjecting her to sexual abuse. According to the prosecution, the accused exploited the victim’s vulnerability, exercised psychological dominance over her, and established a relationship that ultimately culminated in acts amounting to rape. The prosecution and the victim’s counsel maintained that the victim was a minor at the relevant point of time and that her consent, if any, was legally immaterial under the POCSO Act.

Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution argued that the allegations disclosed the commission of serious offences under the POCSO Act and that the nature and gravity of the accusations warranted continued custody. It was further contended that the accused, being the son of a prominent political leader and a Union Minister, was in a position to influence witnesses or interfere with the course of justice if released on bail. The prosecution also relied upon the statements collected during the course of investigation to oppose the grant of bail.

On the other hand, senior counsel appearing for Bageerath contended that the prosecution’s case was factually unsustainable. The defence argued that the complainant was a major at the relevant time and that the relationship between the parties was consensual.

After considering the rival submissions, the material available on record and the stage of the investigation, Justice K Sujana granted conditional bail while imposing safeguards intended to ensure that the accused does not interfere with the administration of justice. The criminal proceedings against Bageerath will continue before the jurisdictional trial court.

The detailed order copy is awaited.