HYDERABAD: The Pet Basheerabad police on Tuesday summoned Bandi Sai Bhageerath (23), son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in connection with a case registered under the BNS and the POCSO Act, and directed him to appear before investigators on Wednesday. Hours earlier, Bhageerath moved the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case.
The notice, served to his maternal uncle Ch Vamshi Krishna, instructed him to produce Bhageerath before the Pet Basheerabad inspector by 2 pm on Wednesday for examination and investigation. “Please note that failure to comply with this notice may result in legal action being initiated against you in accordance with law,” the notice stated.
According to sources, the police were trying to reach Bhageerath, but he was unavailable.
According to the petition, the FIR dated May 8, 2026 was initially registered at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station under Sections 74 (criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the BNS, along with Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act dealing with sexual harassment and non-penetrative acts involving sexual intent.
Police later altered the charges based on the victim’s statement and invoked Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act relating to aggravated penetrative sexual assault. Section 6 of the Act prescribes punishment ranging from a minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment or death.
HC to hear Bhageerath’s bail petition on May 14
According to the complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, Bhageerath allegedly subjected the minor to “a sustained pattern of grooming, emotional manipulation and sexual exploitation” beginning in June 2025. The complaint alleged that he used false promises of marriage and psychological influence to isolate the girl and later subjected her to repeated physical and sexual abuse at multiple locations, including Sri Ram Gardens, Golf View Apartments in Nanakramguda and farmhouses in Moinabad.
It further alleged that during a New Year’s gathering held between December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026 at Ananya Farms in Moinabad, the girl was pressured to consume alcohol despite her resistance. The complaint stated that Bhageerath, allegedly in an intoxicated condition, later entered the victim’s room and molested her by touching her inappropriately and attempting further sexual acts against her will.
The complainant also accused him of circulating private photographs and personal information relating to the girl and making defamatory statements, causing severe emotional distress and repeated self-harm attempts by the victim.
The complaint further referred to alleged pressure exerted on the family by influential persons during a meeting held on April 23, 2026 to arrive at a compromise. Following registration of the case, police launched an investigation. On May 11, Cyberabad Commissioner M Ramesh directed Kukatpally DCP Ritiraj to personally supervise the probe. The case remains under investigation.
In his anticipatory bail petition, Bhageerath contended that he became acquainted with the alleged victim through common friends and that both families interacted frequently during social gatherings and temple visits to Vijayawada, Arunachalam and Tirumala.
The petition further alleged that the girl’s parents attempted to exploit him and demanded Rs 5 crore from him. It claimed that threats were allegedly made that the girl would commit suicide if the amount was not paid. The petitioner stated that he lodged a criminal complaint before the Karimnagar II Town Police Station against the de facto complainant, her husband and the alleged victim on charges relating to extortion and criminal intimidation. An FIR was reportedly registered there at around 5 pm on May 8, 2026.
Subsequently, another FIR was registered the same day at Pet Basheerabad Police Station based on the complaint lodged by the girl’s mother. The anticipatory bail petition is scheduled to come up for hearing on May 14, 2026 before a Special Summer Vacation Bench of the Telangana High Court.
Initial charges
The FIR dated May 8, 2026 was initially registered at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station under Sections 74 and 75 of the BNS, along with Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act
Charges altered later based on the victim’s statement and Section 5(1) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act invoked
BNS 74: Violating the modesty of a woman, if done by criminal force
Punishment: 1 to 5 yrs in prison + fine.
BNS 75: Sexual Harassment
Punishment: RI up to 3 years or fine or both.
POCSO Sec. 11 r/w 12: Sexual harassment of child
Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years + fine.
Altered case
POCSO Sec. 5(l) r/w 6: Penetrative sexual assault. Aggravated penetrative sexual assault if it happens more than once/repeatedly (Sec. 5(l)).
Punishment: 20 years RI
