In a visible lapse, the special investigation team appointed by Telangana police failed to take Bandi Bhageerath, son of Bandi Sanjay, minister of state for home affairs, into custody even five days after filing a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. However, the SIT has shown progress by adding Sections 5(I) and 6 of the POCSO Act, which deal with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and severe punishment for the crime. The SIT also issued a notice to him (received by his family members) to appear before the investigators on May 13.
According to the complaint, Bhageerath allegedly developed a relationship with a minor girl and remained in contact with her for several months. The issue reportedly came to light in January after the girl allegedly attempted suicide. Her parents claimed she told them Bhageerath had ended the relationship and circulated private photographs among mutual friends, causing humiliation and emotional distress.
The parents also alleged that when they attempted to pursue legal action, a BJP leader facilitated talks with Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The discussions reportedly failed, with the family alleging that the minister neither acted against his son nor responded sympathetically to their concerns. The victim’s parents have reportedly claimed to possess chats and call records allegedly showing Bhageerath’s attempts to pursue the relationship.
R.S. Praveen Kumar, general secretary of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, alleged that the refusal of the Petbasheerabad police to register the complaint on May 8 delayed the investigation and allowed Bhageerath time to file a “honey-trap and extortion” complaint in Karimnagar. He demanded the suspension of the inspector, ACP and DCP concerned, alleging attempts were made to dissuade the parents from filing the complaint.
The explanation reportedly given by Telangana DGP C. V. Anand to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy — the police were busy with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Hyderabad on May 10 — has also drawn criticism, with opposition leaders questioning the rationale behind the explanation.
Meanwhile, Bandi Sanjay’s contention that the victim and Bhageerath shared a consensual friendship, and that the complaint stemmed from his refusal to marry her, has come under scrutiny. Bhageerath’s “honey-trap” allegations have also faced criticism.
Anti-human trafficking activist Sunitha Krishnan said in a post on X that “there is no question of a honey trap when it comes to a minor victim”, adding that under the law, consent of a child is not legally valid. She also noted that several consensual teenage elopement cases are often booked under POCSO after complaints by parents.
On May 11, government-appointed special officer DSP Rituraj said police would arrest the accused if the allegations were substantiated during the investigation. However, the police statement that the SIT would investigate “all aspects” of the case, including the extortion allegations, triggered criticism from opposition parties.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi alleged that the state government constituted the SIT to delay the investigation and avoid Bhageerath’s arrest. The Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also constituted a special bench to examine the case, though no major progress has been reported so far.
Adding to the controversy, Telangana BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reportedly suggested that the issue could be resolved through a caste panchayat, drawing criticism from several quarters. Critics described the remarks as regressive and inappropriate in a POCSO-related case.
The Telangana High Court is scheduled to hear Bhageerath’s anticipatory bail plea on May 14, a hearing that could significantly shape the case. Meanwhile, Kavitha Kalvakuntla, chief of Telangana Rakshana Sena, has demanded the issuance of a look-out circular against Bhageerath, alleging that “the BJP is in the habit of making those facing allegations leave the country”.
Senior Congress and BJP leaders in the state are yet to articulate their positions on the case. The BJP initially supported the claims of Bandi Sanjay Kumar and his son; however, it later termed it a personal matter. The media also took a wait-and-see approach.