Telangana High Court seeks State response in Bandi Sai Bhageerath bail plea

The Telangana High Court directed the State to file its response in the bail plea of Bandi Sai Bhageerath, who is accused in a POCSO case, and adjourned the matter to Friday. Bhageerath remains in judicial remand after surrendering on June 25

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice K Sujana of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the State to place its response in the bail plea filed by Bandi Sai Bhageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and adjourned the matter to Friday.

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The case stems from a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl at Pet Basheerabad Police Station alleging that Bhageerath had sexually assaulted her daughter at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Following the investigation, the police invoked provisions relating to sexual assault and added offences under the POCSO Act.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that Bhageerath had been in judicial custody for more than 49 days and that the investigation had already been completed. He contended that all material witnesses had been examined and there was no possibility of the petitioner interfering with the investigation or tampering with evidence if released on bail.

The petitioner further contended that the complaint, lodged nearly five months after the alleged incident, was politically motivated and had been filed with the intention of harassing and defaming him.

Public Prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao sought time to obtain instructions and place the relevant material before the court. Acceding to the request, Justice Sujana directed the State to file its response and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.

Bhageerath, who was earlier granted interim bail for a week to appear for his engineering examinations, surrendered before the Cherlapalli prison authorities on June 25 and is presently in judicial remand.