Cyberabad Police book social media accounts for exposing POCSO victim in Bandi Bhageerath case
Synopsis
Cyberabad Police have moved against social media accounts that exposed the identity of a minor POCSO victim — a case that has escalated sharply since 8 May, with charges now including aggravated penetrative sexual assault carrying up to 20 years in prison. The accused, Bandi Bhageerath, is the son of a sitting Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, and his anticipatory bail plea is before the Telangana High Court.
Key Takeaways
Cyberabad Police registered cases against Instagram and Facebook accounts that circulated the POCSO victim's photos, videos, and identity details.
Cases filed under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act , Section 72(1) of the BNS , and Section 23 of the POCSO Act .
The original POCSO case against Bandi Bhageerath , son of Union MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar , was registered on 8 May over alleged assault on a 17-year-old girl in Moinabad .
Charges were escalated to Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of POCSO — aggravated penetrative sexual assault, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
Bhageerath , aged 25 , has sought to quash the case and applied for anticipatory bail in the Telangana High Court ; the matter is posted for next week.
The accused filed a counter-complaint in Karimnagar , alleging the victim's family demanded ₹5 crore to drop the case.
Cyberabad Police have registered cases against multiple social media accounts that circulated photos, videos, and identifying details of the minor victim in the POCSO case against Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, officials confirmed on Friday, 15 May. The action follows a complaint by the Child Welfare Committee chairperson of Medchal-Malkajgiri district.
Cases Registered Under Multiple Laws
The cases have been filed at Pet Basheerabad Police Station in Hyderabad, the same station where the original POCSO case against Bhageerath was booked on 8 May. Station House Officer K. Vijaya Vardhan confirmed that charges have been invoked under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Section 72(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 23 of the POCSO Act.
According to SHO Vijaya Vardhan, Instagram and Facebook account IDs along with relevant URLs have been identified and forwarded to the concerned authorities for tracing the handlers. 'Revealing the identity or personal details of a girl child/victim and her family involved in POCSO cases causes severe emotional distress to the victim and constitutes a serious legal violation. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in such acts,' the SHO stated.
Background: The POCSO Case Against Bhageerath
The original POCSO case was registered on 8 May after the 17-year-old victim alleged that Bandi Bhageerath sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad. The FIR was filed under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the BNS.
Following further questioning by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj, who spoke to the victim on Tuesday to gather additional details, police invoked harsher provisions. Section 5(1) read with Section 6 — which pertains to aggravated penetrative sexual assault and carries a punishment that may extend to 20 years imprisonment or more — was added to the FIR.
Bhageerath's Response and Counter-Complaint
The 25-year-old accused filed a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the victim's family attempted to extort ₹5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case. Police served him a notice directing him to appear before the investigating officer on 13 May, but he did not appear, instead sending a letter seeking two additional days.
Bhageerath has since approached the Telangana High Court, seeking orders to quash the POCSO case and also applying for anticipatory bail. The court heard arguments on Thursday and posted the matter to the following week for further hearing. The court also indicated it would pronounce orders on Friday on his plea for interim bail.
Legal and Social Significance
This is a notable instance of law enforcement acting swiftly against the online exposure of a POCSO victim's identity — a violation that is frequently under-prosecuted despite clear statutory prohibitions. The case has drawn heightened public attention given that the accused is the son of a sitting Union minister, raising questions about political accountability and equal application of the law. Notably, the escalation of charges to aggravated penetrative sexual assault marks a significant hardening of the police's legal position since the case was first registered.
All proceedings remain ongoing, with the Telangana High Court's ruling on interim bail expected to shape the next phase of this case.
Point of View
But the true test will be whether the Telangana High Court grants interim bail, which would effectively stall the investigation. The counter-complaint alleging extortion — filed in a different jurisdiction — is a pattern seen in high-profile POCSO cases and warrants close scrutiny from investigators and the courts alike.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Cyberabad Police booked social media accounts in the Bandi Bhageerath POCSO case?
Police registered cases against Instagram and Facebook accounts that circulated the identity, photos, and videos of the minor victim — a serious legal violation under Section 23 of the POCSO Act, Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, and Section 72(1) of the BNS. The action was initiated following a complaint by the Child Welfare Committee chairperson of Medchal-Malkajgiri district.
What is the POCSO case against Bandi Bhageerath?
Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, was booked on 8 May at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at a farmhouse in Moinabad. Charges were later escalated to include aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison.
What is the current status of Bandi Bhageerath's case in court?
Bhageerath has approached the Telangana High Court seeking to quash the POCSO case and has applied for anticipatory bail. The court heard arguments on Thursday and posted the matter to the following week, while also indicating it would rule on his interim bail plea on Friday.
What counter-complaint has Bandi Bhageerath filed?
Bhageerath filed a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the victim's family attempted to extort ₹5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case. The allegation is being examined separately by authorities.
What punishment can social media users face for exposing a POCSO victim's identity?
Under Section 23 of the POCSO Act and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, disclosing the identity or personal details of a child victim is a punishable offence. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found circulating such content.
