K Kavitha demands removal of Bandi Sanjay Kumar over POCSO case against his son
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
K Kavitha, president of the Telangana Rakshana Sena, on Saturday, 16 May wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the immediate removal of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar from the Union Council of Ministers, citing a POCSO case registered against his son Bageerath. The letter calls for his ouster until both the investigation and trial are fully concluded.
What the Letter Demands
In her representation to the Prime Minister, Kavitha argued that Bandi Sanjay Kumar's continued presence in the Ministry of Home Affairs — a portfolio that carries significant administrative authority over law enforcement — constitutes a direct conflict of interest. She contended that the integrity of an independent investigation cannot be guaranteed while a minister with oversight over policing mechanisms remains in office with a personal stake in the case.
'I am writing to you to draw your urgent attention to a matter of significant institutional propriety, legal ethics, and public trust concerning the composition of the Union Council of Ministers,' Kavitha stated in the letter.
The POCSO Case Against Bageerath
An FIR was registered on 8 May against Bageerath under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. The case places the minister's son under serious legal scrutiny involving an alleged offence against a minor.
Kavitha's Core Argument
The Telangana Rakshana Sena chief stressed that public confidence in the neutrality of the justice system demands that no shadow of political influence fall over proceedings involving a minor. She argued that the state's paramount obligation is to ensure the investigation and trial are conducted with absolute independence, transparency, and fairness.
'Therefore, I request you to remove Bandi Sanjay Kumar from his position in the Ministry of Home Affairs until the investigation and trial are fully concluded,' she wrote, adding that the step would reinforce public confidence and ensure that justice for minors remains above all political considerations.
No Official Response Yet
As of the time of writing, neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor the office of the Union Minister of State had issued any official reaction to Kavitha's representation. The silence from the government side is notable given the political sensitivity of the demand and the gravity of the underlying charges.
This comes amid a broader national conversation about accountability standards for public officeholders when close family members face criminal proceedings. Whether the Centre acts on the demand or dismisses it will be closely watched by opposition parties and civil society groups.