HYDERABAD: Bandi Sai Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, did not appear before the Pet Basheerabad police by the 2 pm deadline on Wednesday for questioning in connection with a POCSO case. However, in a purported letter sent to the police, Bhageerath stated that he would appear before investigating officers after two days along with evidence.
It may be recalled that Bhageerath has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The petition is expected to come up for hearing before a vacation bench on Thursday.
Speaking to the TNIE, a Cyberabad police official said they had received a letter in Bhageerath’s name through the police station email, but were unsure whether it had been sent by the accused himself or by someone else.
“The summons clearly stated that he has to appear before police, failing which action will be taken,” police sources said.
Police said four teams had been deployed to trace him. “If he is found, he will be arrested,” an official added.
Police had served a notice to Bhageerath on Tuesday directing him to appear for questioning as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, wall posters surfaced in Chandanagar and a few other parts of the city on Wednesday morning stating that Bhageerath, an accused in the case, was absconding and asking the public to inform the nearest police station if they spotted him. The posters were pulled down.
‘Charges altered based on statement of survivor’
According to police, the case was initially registered under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Based on the survivor’s statement, the charges were later altered to include aggravated penetrative sexual assault under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
The case was registered on May 8 following a complaint lodged by the survivor’s mother. In her complaint, she alleged that Bhageerath sexually exploited the minor survivor on the pretext of marriage over a period of time and later circulated her private photographs, causing further distress.
Following registration of the case, Kukatpally police launched an investigation. On May 11, Cyberabad Commissioner M Ramesh directed Kukatpally DCP Ritiraj to personally supervise the probe.