Telangana High Court Grants Bail to Union Minister’s Son in Sexual Assault Case

The Telangana High Court has granted bail to Bandi Bhageerath, the son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a notable case involving allegations of sexual assault against a minor. The court’s decision was delivered on Thursday, following Bhageerath’s surrender to the Telangana Police on May 16, after the High Court had previously denied him interim protection from arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to reports, the incident dates back to December 31, when the parents of a 17-year-old girl alleged that Bhageerath had befriended their daughter with the intention of marriage. They claim that he subsequently assaulted her at a farmhouse located in Moinabad, near Hyderabad. In response to the girl’s testimony, law enforcement officials included serious charges of rape under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act, in the initial complaint.

Bhageerath has categorically denied the accusations, asserting that he is a victim of blackmail. He claims that the girl and her family attempted to extort ₹5 crore from him. Following his allegations, the police have also initiated a counter-case against the girl and her parents, charging them with extortion and criminal intimidation. This dual narrative has heightened the complexities surrounding the case, drawing significant public and media attention.

Earlier in the legal proceedings, Bhageerath was granted a temporary four-day bail on June 20, purportedly to allow him to sit for an examination. This case, now further complicated by the counter-allegations, raises critical questions about the misuse of the legal system and the societal implications of such high-profile cases involving minors.

The matter has sparked discussions across various platforms regarding child protection laws, the credibility of allegations, and the responsibilities of public figures. As the legal processes continue to unfold, the case will likely remain in the spotlight, reflecting broader societal issues and the importance of safeguarding the rights of minors in India.

Source: scroll.in