Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, 11 May directed Director General of Police C.V. Anand to immediately initiate a comprehensive investigation into the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay. The case, which involves alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl, was first registered on 8 May at Pet Basheerabad Police Station in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister's Directive and SIT Formation

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy questioned DGP Anand over the delay in taking action, given that the complaint had been lodged three days earlier. Following his direction, the police chief reportedly constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. According to the Chief Minister's Office, DGP Anand briefed the Chief Minister on the details of the case and informed him that the entire police force had been engaged in security arrangements in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Hyderabad.

Child Rights Commission Steps In

The Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR) also swung into action, forming a special Bench to hear the case. TSCPCR Chairperson Kothakota Seetha Dayakar Reddy obtained details from the City Police Commissioner and constituted the special Bench to conduct an independent enquiry into the matter. The parallel intervention by the child rights body signals the institutional gravity with which the case is being treated.

What the Complaint Alleges

The victim's mother alleged that Bandi Bhagirath, aged 25, had been harassing their daughter for over six months and allegedly misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in Moinabad. On her complaint, police registered a case under Section 11 of the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Counter-Complaint and Political Fallout

In a parallel development, Bhagirath had earlier lodged a complaint at Karimnagar II Town Police Station, alleging that the girl and her parents attempted to honey-trap him and demanded ₹5 crore to refrain from filing a police complaint against him. On his complaint, a case was booked against the girl and her parents under various BNS sections for extortion, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, and common intention.

Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay has denied the allegations against his son, claiming that political rivals are attempting to tarnish his image through false accusations. The action by both the Chief Minister and the TSCPCR came amid continuing protests by the Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which has been demanding swift action against Bhagirath. The case has rapidly escalated into a political flashpoint in Telangana, with the ruling Congress, the BRS, and the BJP all staking out positions.

With an SIT now in place, all eyes will be on the pace and independence of the investigation, particularly given the political stature of the accused's family.