Bandi Bhageerath sent to 3-day police custody in POCSO case
Synopsis
A Hyderabad court has handed police three days to interrogate Bandi Bhageerath — son of Union MoS Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar — in a POCSO case involving alleged sexual assault of a minor. The case has escalated since 8 May, with harsher charges added after the victim's statement and a High Court refusal of interim protection preceding his arrest.
Key Takeaways
A Malkajgiri trial court on 26 May granted Pet Basheerabad police three days' custody of Bandi Bhageerath in a POCSO case.
Bhageerath is the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar .
The FIR was registered on 8 May ; harsher POCSO provisions ( Section 5(1) read with Section 6 ) were added after the victim's statement.
The Telangana High Court refused interim protection; Bhageerath was arrested on 16 May and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days .
His counsel sought interrogation limited to 10 a.m.–5.30 p.m. , with medical checks before and after, and no coercive methods.
A city court in Hyderabad on Tuesday, 26 May granted Pet Basheerabad police three days of custody over Bandi Bhageerath, 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. The trial court at Malkajgiri pronounced the order on the prosecution's petition, granting a shorter custody period than the week-long remand the police had sought.
Key Developments in the Custody Hearing
Bhageerath, currently lodged at Cherlapalli Jail, will now be taken into custody by Pet Basheerabad police for interrogation. His counsel, Karunasagar, opposed the petition and requested that, if custody were granted, interrogation be restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with medical examinations conducted both before and after questioning. The counsel also sought a court direction barring police from using coercive methods during interrogation.
Background of the POCSO Case
A case was first registered against Bhageerath at Pet Basheerabad Police Station on 8 May, following allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor girl. The FIR was initially filed under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act, along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After the investigating officer recorded the victim's statement, police invoked harsher provisions — adding Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act to the FIR.
Arrest and Remand: A Disputed Account
Police served Bhageerath a notice directing him to appear before the investigating officer on 13 May. He did not comply but sent a letter seeking two additional days. After the Telangana High Court declined to grant him interim protection, he was arrested on the night of 16 May. His father, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, claimed his son had voluntarily surrendered, accompanied by two lawyers. Police, however, stated that Bhageerath admitted to committing the offence of sexually assaulting a minor before being formally arrested. He was produced before a magistrate the same night and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
What Happens Next
With the three-day police custody now in effect, investigators are expected to conduct structured interrogation within the court-stipulated time window. The case, involving the son of a sitting Union minister, has drawn significant attention to the application of POCSO provisions and the judicial process around high-profile accused. Further developments in the investigation and any bail proceedings are likely to be closely watched.
Point of View
Suggesting investigators found corroborating grounds. The High Court's refusal of interim protection was a significant procedural signal that the accused's attempts to delay engagement with the law had limits. With a Union minister's son now in police custody, the case will test whether the investigative process proceeds without political interference — a credibility moment for both the Telangana police and the judiciary.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Bandi Bhageerath sent to police custody?
A Hyderabad trial court at Malkajgiri granted Pet Basheerabad police three days of custody on 26 May to interrogate Bandi Bhageerath in a POCSO case involving alleged sexual assault of a minor girl. The court ruled on the prosecution's petition, granting less than the week-long custody police had sought.
What charges has Bandi Bhageerath been booked under?
Bhageerath was initially booked under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. After the victim's statement was recorded, police added Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act — provisions that carry harsher penalties.
When and how was Bandi Bhageerath arrested?
Bhageerath was arrested on the night of 16 May after the Telangana High Court declined to grant him interim protection. Police stated he admitted to the offence before arrest; his father, Union MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar, claimed his son had voluntarily surrendered accompanied by two lawyers.
Who is Bandi Bhageerath?
Bandi Bhageerath is the son of Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Telangana. The case against him was registered at Pet Basheerabad Police Station in Hyderabad on 8 May.
What safeguards did Bhageerath's lawyer seek during interrogation?
His counsel, Karunasagar, requested that interrogation be conducted only between 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., that medical examinations be carried out before and after each session, and that police be directed not to use coercive methods during questioning.
