Bandi Bhageerath arrested in POCSO case, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy has directly contradicted Union MoS Home Bandi Sanjay — backing Cyberabad Police's claim that Sanjay's son Bhageerath was arrested in a POCSO case, not voluntarily surrendered. The dispute has drawn in BRS's KTR, turning a criminal case into a full-blown political flashpoint in Hyderabad.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy confirmed the arrest of Bandi Bhageerath in a POCSO case on 21 May .
Cyberabad Police say Bhageerath was arrested; his father, Union MoS Bandi Sanjay , claims the son was voluntarily handed over.
CM Revanth Reddy endorsed the police version, saying Sanjay could have called police to his home if the surrender was genuine.
The CM accused BRS Working President KTR of politicising the case to settle a personal score with Bandi Sanjay.
Revanth Reddy also noted that 80 per cent of paddy procurement in Telangana has been completed.
The CM welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on caste census, calling Telangana a 'guiding light' for the nation.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday, 21 May confirmed that Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, has been arrested by police in a POCSO case. Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said he stands by the police version of events.
Arrest vs Surrender: The Competing Claims
Bandi Sanjay has maintained that he voluntarily handed his son over to police to cooperate with the investigation. However, Cyberabad Police have stated clearly that Bhageerath was arrested — a version the Chief Minister endorsed. 'If Bandi Sanjay wanted to hand over his son to the police, he could have called police to his home,' Revanth Reddy said, directly contradicting the minister's account.
CM Accuses BRS of Politicising the Case
The Chief Minister levelled sharp criticism at Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, alleging they are exploiting the case for political gain. He accused BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) of attempting to settle a personal dispute with Bandi Sanjay by 'dragging children into it.' 'KTR and Bandi Sanjay have some sort of dispute, and KTR is attempting to settle the score by dragging children into it,' he said. Revanth Reddy also remarked that BRS leaders are 'behaving like sadists, acting as if they have achieved some great victory' in the matter.
Police Following Due Procedure, Says CM
Revanth Reddy defended the police handling of the case, asserting that investigators are strictly adhering to established legal procedures. Drawing a parallel, he noted that even when drugs were discovered at a farmhouse belonging to KTR's brother-in-law, the government issued a notice and conducted an inquiry. 'In the case of Bandi Bhageerath as well, we have issued notices and are currently conducting an inquiry,' he said.
Other Key Remarks at the Press Conference
The Chief Minister also addressed the state's paddy procurement, stating that 80 per cent of the process has been completed and the government will wrap up the remainder. He accused the BRS of 'attempting to engage in politics over dead bodies' with regard to farmers' issues, urging the opposition to offer constructive suggestions instead.
Revanth Reddy also welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict on the caste census, calling it an honour. 'Telangana has emerged as a guiding light for the nation in the matter of including a caste census within the general census,' he said. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government immediately incorporate a caste census into the general census to ensure representation for weaker sections.
Point of View
CM Revanth Reddy has put the Congress government's credibility on the line alongside the investigation. The invocation of KTR's alleged personal rivalry with Bandi Sanjay, meanwhile, muddies what should be a straightforward law-enforcement matter. What is striking is how quickly a criminal case involving a minor has become a proxy battleground for three-way BJP-BRS-Congress tensions in Telangana — a pattern that risks overshadowing the victim's interests entirely.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bandi Bhageerath and why was he arrested?
Bandi Bhageerath is the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay. He was arrested by Cyberabad Police in connection with a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case, according to Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.
Why is there a dispute over whether Bhageerath was arrested or surrendered?
Bandi Sanjay has claimed he voluntarily handed his son over to police to assist the investigation, while Cyberabad Police state they carried out a formal arrest. CM Revanth Reddy backed the police version, arguing that a genuine surrender would have meant calling police to the minister's home.
What did CM Revanth Reddy say about BRS leaders in this case?
Revanth Reddy accused BRS Working President KTR and other BRS leaders of politicising the POCSO case to settle a personal dispute with Bandi Sanjay. He urged political parties not to drag children into factional rivalries.
What is the government's position on how police are handling the case?
CM Revanth Reddy said police are strictly following established legal procedures, drawing a parallel with how the government handled a drugs case linked to KTR's brother-in-law — by issuing notices and conducting an inquiry rather than bypassing due process.
What else did CM Revanth Reddy address at the press conference?
The CM said 80 per cent of Telangana's paddy procurement is complete and the remainder will be finished shortly. He also welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict on the caste census, calling Telangana a national model, and demanded the Modi government incorporate a caste census into the general census.
