Bhageerath Skips Police Probe as POCSO Controversy Widens
The political and legal storm surrounding Bhageerath , son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, intensified on Wednesday after he failed to appear before Hyderabad police in connection with a high-profile POCSO case involving a 17-year-old girl. With investigators unable to trace his whereabouts, Cyberabad Police have now launched extensive search operations, escalating the controversy into one of Telangana’s most closely watched criminal investigations.
Police officials confirmed that Bhageerath was directed to appear before the Pet Basheerabad Police Station at 2 pm on May 13 after a formal notice was served through his maternal uncle. However, he did not turn up for questioning, prompting police teams to begin searches at multiple locations in Hyderabad and Karimnagar. Investigators are also reportedly tracking his digital footprint, including mobile phone activity and call detail records, after his phone was said to have remained switched off for several days.
The case originated on May 8 after the mother of a 17-year-old girl lodged a complaint alleging that Bhageerath had been in a relationship with her daughter and sexually harassed her over several months. According to police sources, the alleged incidents took place at different locations, including apartments in Nanakramguda and a farmhouse in Moinabad , where he allegedly promised marriage before assaulting the minor.
Initially, police invoked provisions related to sexual harassment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act . However, after recording the victim’s detailed statement, investigators added stricter charges under Section 5(i) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act , relating to aggravated penetrative sexual assault. The offence is non-bailable and carries severe punishment, including life imprisonment.
The controversy deepened after Bhageerath filed a counter-complaint alleging that the girl’s family attempted to extort ₹5 crore from him by threatening to implicate him in a false case. Police subsequently registered a separate extortion-related case, resulting in parallel investigations into both the sexual assault allegations and the alleged “honey-trap” claims.
Facing possible arrest, Bhageerath has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail and quashing of the FIR. In his petition, he reportedly argued that the relationship was consensual and that the allegations were politically motivated. However, under Indian law, consent from a minor is not legally valid under the POCSO Act.
The case has triggered a major political row in Telangana due to the involvement of the son of a sitting Union Minister. Opposition parties have accused authorities of delaying arrest action because of political influence, while posters describing Bhageerath as “missing” and “absconding” surfaced across parts of Hyderabad.
Responding to the controversy, Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that if his son is found guilty after investigation, he should face punishment according to law. Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has reportedly directed senior police officials to accelerate the probe and ensure there is no political interference in the investigation.