Court Reserves Order in Custody Plea Against Bandi Sanjay’s Son, Decision on May 26

A Hyderabad local court on Friday reserved its order for May 26 on a police petition seeking three day custody of Bandi Sai Bhageerath , son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar , in connection with a case registered under the POCSO Act .

The case stems from allegations that Bhageerath sexually exploited a 17 year old girl on December 31, 2025 , during a New Year party at a farmhouse in Moinabad, Hyderabad . The victim’s mother alleged that he took psychological control of her daughter in the name of love, later broke up with her, and circulated private photographs with humiliating comments. The girl reportedly attempted suicide twice on January 9 and January 26 following the trauma.

Police registered an FIR on May 8 under Section 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 5(1) read with 6 of the POCSO Act. A woman IPS officer was appointed as investigating officer, and five police teams were deployed across Karimnagar, Delhi, and other locations . A Look Out Circular (LOC) was also issued.

On May 15 , the Telangana High Court denied Bhageerath interim protection from arrest. The next evening, Cyberabad police apprehended him near Appa Junction, Narsingi . While police termed it an arrest, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar released photos and videos claiming his son had voluntarily surrendered at Petbasheerabad Police Station, leading to conflicting versions and public debate.

Bhageerath was later produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody for two weeks . On May 21 , the Telangana High Court allowed withdrawal of the anticipatory bail petition , which had become infructuous after arrest, and permitted filing of a regular bail petition instead.

He has also filed a counter complaint , alleging an attempted extortion of Rs 5 crore by the victim’s family. During Friday’s hearing, his counsel opposed the police custody petition , but argued that if custody is granted, interrogation should be conducted between 10 am and 5 pm in the presence of his lawyer, with no coercive or third degree methods, as per Supreme Court guidelines.

Separately, a Hyderabad civil court issued an ad interim injunction against 23 news channels and media platforms on a defamation petition filed by Bandi Sanjay Kumar , citing an alleged smear campaign. The next hearing on the custody plea is scheduled for May 26 .