Cyberabad Police on Saturday, 17 May 2025 arrested Bandi Bhagirath in connection with a POCSO case, even as his father and Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay publicly claimed that his son had voluntarily surrendered before the authorities. The arrest followed a Telangana High Court refusal, a day earlier, to grant Bhagirath interim protection from arrest.

The Arrest and the Conflicting Claims

Police stated that Bhagirath was arrested at APPA Junction, Narsingi, and subsequently taken to Pet Basheerabad Police Station, where the original case was registered against him on 8 May 2025. Authorities confirmed they were questioning him and were preparing to produce him before a magistrate at Medchal.

Minutes after the police announcement, MoS Bandi Sanjay posted on social media platform X, asserting that his son had not been arrested but had instead appeared before the police voluntarily. 'Bhagirath went to Pet Basheerabad Police Station in the presence of two lawyers,' he wrote, sharing a photograph of his son flanked by two men.

What the Minister Said

In his post on X, Bandi Sanjay stated: 'With utmost respect for the law and judiciary, today my son Bandi Bhageerath went before the Telangana Police through our advocates for investigation. I have said this before, too: whether it is my own son or a common citizen, everyone is equal before the law. My son has consistently maintained that he has committed no mistake.'

The minister added that despite court proceedings being underway and legal advice to wait for orders expected the following week, he chose to cooperate with the inquiry. 'I have complete faith in the justice system. Justice may be delayed, but not denied,' he posted.

The POCSO Case and Escalating Charges

A case was initially registered against Bhagirath under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), on the allegation that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.

Following a conversation between Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj and the victim on Tuesday to gather additional details, police invoked harsher provisions. Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act — which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and carries a punishment that may extend to 20 years imprisonment or more — was added to the FIR.

Notably, Bhagirath had been served a notice directing him to appear before the investigating officer on 13 May. He did not comply, instead sending a letter seeking two additional days to appear.

Counter-Complaint and High Court Proceedings

Bhagirath also filed a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the girl's family had attempted to extort ₹5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case.

The Telangana High Court's single-judge vacation bench, presided over by Justice T. Madhavi Devi, heard arguments on Bhagirath's interim bail petition for approximately five-and-a-half hours on Friday, extending till around midnight. The court declined to grant interim protection, with the judge indicating she was not inclined to pass any interim order without first examining the victim's statement. Orders are expected the following week.

What Comes Next

With Bhagirath in custody and the Telangana High Court yet to pass final orders on his bail plea, the case is set to intensify in the coming days. The involvement of a sitting Union minister's son in a POCSO matter — compounded by the public dispute over whether an arrest or a surrender occurred — is likely to draw sustained political and legal scrutiny.