Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Sunday, 17 May demanded the immediate dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar from the Union Cabinet, arguing that a fair and impartial investigation into the POCSO case involving his son Bandi Bhageerath is impossible while the minister remains in office. KTR made the demand at a party event held at LB Nagar, Hyderabad, a day after Bhageerath's arrest and judicial remand.

Key Demands and Allegations

KTR stated that, reportedly for the first time in India, a lookout notice had to be issued against the son of a sitting Union Minister. He questioned how the accused was allegedly kept hidden for nine days and pressed for answers on who shielded him during that period. Asserting that constitutional office-holders accused of misusing power in sensitive matters are an insult not just to Telangana but to the entire country, he demanded Bandi Sanjay's immediate removal.

KTR further alleged that Bandi Sanjay personally threatened and harassed the victim's family while his son allegedly committed the offence against a minor girl. He also alleged that Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attempted to downplay the gravity of the case.

Allegations of Political Cover-Up

KTR accused both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress leadership of colluding to suppress the matter — reportedly labelling it a 'honey trap' and allegedly pressuring sections of the media to limit coverage. He invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, warning that such slogans ring hollow if justice is not delivered in high-profile cases involving the powerful.

Notably, this comes amid a broader national conversation about accountability for influential families in POCSO cases, where victims and their families frequently cite pressure to withdraw complaints.

Praise for the Victim's Family and BRS Activists

KTR praised the victim's mother and parents for standing firm despite alleged threats from both state and Central leaders. He described their fight for justice as 'historic and courageous' and called on society to extend support. He also lauded the BRS women's wing, student organisations, and social media activists for relentlessly pursuing the case, noting that BRS women leaders protested across Telangana, approached the Women's Commission, the Director General of Police, and staged demonstrations at B.R. Ambedkar's statue demanding justice.

Senior BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar was specifically acknowledged for taking up the issue and supporting the victim's family.

Warning on Systemic Accountability

KTR warned that if persons in positions of power are permitted to evade accountability, it would deter women and minor girls from reporting abuse in the future. He said that allowing influential individuals to remain above the law sends a dangerous signal to society at large, and reiterated that the investigation must be conducted transparently and independently, without ministerial interference.

With Bhageerath now in judicial remand, the case is expected to draw further political scrutiny in the days ahead — particularly over the question of who facilitated his alleged nine-day concealment.