Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a Magistrate in Hyderabad on 17 May, in connection with a POCSO case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl. The remand order keeps him in custody till 29 May, and he has since been shifted to Cherlapalli Jail.

Arrest and Remand

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Bhageerath at APPA Junction in Narsingi on Saturday night. He was produced before a Magistrate at the Magistrate's residence in Medchal around midnight. Prior to being produced in court, Bhageerath was questioned by the SIT for nearly two hours and taken to a government hospital for a medical examination.

A case was originally registered against him at Pet Basheerabad Police Station on 8 May, alleging that he sexually assaulted the minor girl. Following further questioning of the victim by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj, police subsequently invoked harsher provisions, adding Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act — which pertains to aggravated penetrative sexual assault and carries a punishment that may extend to 20 years imprisonment or more.

Charges and Legal Sections

The case against Bhageerath was initially booked 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). The subsequent addition of aggravated assault provisions significantly escalates the potential legal consequences.

Notably, Bhageerath had also lodged 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.

Telangana High Court Refuses Protection

The Telangana High Court on Friday refused to grant Bhageerath interim protection from arrest. A single-judge vacation bench headed by Justice T. Madhavi Devi heard arguments on his interim bail petition for approximately five-and-a-half hours before declining relief. Justice Devi indicated she was not inclined to grant any interim order without first reviewing the victim's statement, and said she may pass further orders next week.

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

What Bandi Sanjay Said

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar posted on social media platform X ahead of his son's arrest, stating that Bhageerath had not been arrested but had voluntarily appeared before the police. He shared a picture of his son accompanied by two individuals, identified as lawyers.

'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 said in his post.

Bandi Sanjay further stated: 'I have complete faith in the justice system. Justice may be delayed, but not denied.' He added that despite pending court proceedings and advice from his legal team, he felt there should be 'no hesitation' in cooperating with the inquiry.

What Comes Next

Bhageerath will remain in Cherlapalli Jail until at least 29 May. The Telangana High Court is expected to take up his bail petition again next week. With aggravated POCSO provisions now on record, the legal proceedings are set to intensify — placing the case, and the political scrutiny on a sitting Union Minister's family, firmly in the national spotlight.