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Hyderabad, July 9 (legal correspondent Raza Nadeem-PMI): The Telangana High Court on Thursday granted regular bail to Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister and former Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Justice granted bail on two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each, while imposing conditions that the accused must cooperate with the investigation, refrain from influencing witnesses, and not tamper with evidence.
During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Palle Nageshwara Rao opposed the bail plea, arguing that releasing the accused at this stage could adversely affect the ongoing investigation. He submitted that there was a possibility of the accused influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence and informed the Court that the police were in the final stages of filing the charge sheet.
Counsel appearing for Bageerath argued that his client had remained in judicial custody for more than 40 days and had cooperated with the investigation. The defence requested the Court to grant regular bail, contending that continued incarceration was unnecessary.
The case stems from a complaint lodged on May 8 by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, following which the Pet Basheerabad Police registered a case under Sections 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act relating to sexual harassment of a child.
According to the prosecution, Bageerath allegedly sexually assaulted the minor on two separate occasions at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad. During a previous hearing on July 3, Telangana Police informed the High Court that the investigation had revealed the accused had allegedly developed a relationship with the minor, emotionally manipulated her, and sexually abused her multiple times during 2025.
Police further stated that the alleged incidents occurred at different locations, including Sriram Gardens near the victim’s residence and Golf Edge Apartments in Nanakramguda. Investigators also told the Court that the victim’s educational records establish her age as 17 years, supporting the applicability of the POCSO Act.
Bageerath has denied all allegations, maintaining that he is innocent and describing the case as a politically motivated attempt to target his father. In a complaint filed at the Two Town Police Station in Karimnagar, he stated that he became acquainted with the girl through mutual friends and that the two shared a friendly relationship.
He further alleged that the girl’s parents later pressured him to marry her and threatened to file criminal cases after he refused. According to his complaint, he paid Rs 50,000 to the girl’s father on one occasion, after which the family allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore, with the girl’s mother threatening suicide if the demand was not met. He has also disputed the complainant’s claim regarding the girl’s age, asserting that she was not a minor.
Bageerath surrendered before the police on May 16 and was subsequently lodged in Cherlapally Central Jail. His legal team made several attempts to secure bail. On June 20, a Special POCSO Court in Malkajgiri granted him interim bail to enable him to appear for his BBA supplementary examinations at Mahindra University. After completing the examinations, he returned to judicial custody and continued pursuing regular bail.
With Thursday’s order, the Telangana High Court granted him regular bail subject to the conditions imposed, while the police continue with the investigation and prepare to file the charge sheet before the trial court. (pressmediaofindia.com)