BRS protests in Hyderabad, demands arrest of Bandi Sanjay's son in POCSO case
Synopsis
BRS took to the streets in Hyderabad demanding the arrest of Union MoS Bandi Sanjay's son Bandi Bhagirath, who is reportedly absconding after a POCSO case was filed against him for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The case has ignited a three-way political battle between BRS, Congress, and BJP in Telangana.
Key Takeaways
BRS staged a sit-in protest at Amberpet, Hyderabad on 12 May demanding the arrest of Bandi Bhagirath .
A POCSO case was registered against Bhagirath, 25 , on 8 May at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl .
BRS MLA Kaleru Venkatesh alleged the Congress government tried to shield Bhagirath by booking a honey trap case against the victim and her family.
Bhagirath had filed a counter-complaint at Karimnagar II Town Police Station , alleging the family sought ₹5 crore to withhold a complaint.
BRS working president K.T.
Rama Rao targeted both BJP and Congress on X over the handling of the case.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) staged a sit-in protest at Amberpet, Hyderabad on Tuesday, 12 May, demanding the immediate arrest of Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, against whom a case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Bhagirath is reportedly absconding since the case was filed on 8 May.
The Protest and Key Demands
BRS MLA Kaleru Venkatesh, along with party leaders and women activists, led the sit-in, with cadres carrying placards and raising slogans calling for Bhagirath's arrest and remand. Venkatesh demanded that Union Minister Bandi Sanjay resign immediately, holding him responsible for the incident.
The MLA further alleged that instead of acting against Bhagirath, the police attempted to shield him by registering a honey trap case against the 17-year-old victim and her family members. He argued this was a deliberate attempt to dilute the POCSO case.
What the POCSO Case Involves
A case was registered against Bandi Bhagirath, 25, on 8 May at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station of the Cyberabad Commissionerate under Section 11 r/w 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The girl's mother alleged that Bhagirath had been harassing their daughter for over six months and had allegedly misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in Moinabad.
In a counter-complaint, Bhagirath had earlier filed a case at Karimnagar II Town Police Station, alleging the girl and her parents attempted to honeytrap him and demanded ₹5 crore to withhold a police complaint. A case was subsequently booked against the girl and her family under BNS sections covering extortion, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, and common intention.
BRS Accuses Congress of Shielding Accused
BRS accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress government of deliberately delaying Bhagirath's arrest.
Point of View
With each using it to score points rather than centre the victim. The counter-booking of a honey trap case against the 17-year-old and her family is a pattern critics have long flagged in high-profile cases — it shifts the burden onto the complainant and muddies the legal process. The delay in arrest, if confirmed, raises serious questions about whether political connections are influencing police action in Telangana. BRS's demand for Bandi Sanjay's resignation is politically convenient but not without legal logic — a minister under whose family shadow a POCSO accused is allegedly absconding owes the public a clearer accounting.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the POCSO case against Bandi Bhagirath?
A case was registered against Bandi Bhagirath, 25, on 8 May at Pet Basheerabad Police Station under the POCSO Act and sections of the BNS for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The girl's mother alleged Bhagirath had been harassing her daughter for over six months and misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in Moinabad.
Why is BRS protesting over the Bandi Bhagirath POCSO case?
BRS is protesting because Bhagirath is reportedly absconding despite the case being filed on 8 May, and the party alleges the Congress government in Telangana is deliberately delaying his arrest. BRS also alleges a honey trap case was filed against the victim and her family to shield the accused.
What did BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao say about the case?
K.T. Rama Rao posted on X targeting both BJP and Congress, writing: 'Original slogan was Beti Padao, Beti Bachao. Latest is Beta Bhagao, Beta Bachao. Well done both BJP and Congress.' His post drew attention to what he called political complicity across party lines.
What is the counter-complaint filed by Bandi Bhagirath?
Bhagirath had earlier filed a complaint at Karimnagar II Town Police Station alleging the girl and her parents attempted to honeytrap him and demanded ₹5 crore to withhold a police complaint. A case was booked against the family under BNS sections for extortion, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, and common intention.
Has Union Minister Bandi Sanjay responded to the allegations?
Yes, Bandi Sanjay has denied the allegations against his son, stating that political rivals are attempting to tarnish his image with false accusations. He has not addressed the BRS demand for his resignation.
