Telangana HC denies arrest shield to Union Minister’s son in POCSO case

The Telangana High Court on Saturday denied interim protection from arrest to Bandi Bhageerath, son of a Union Minister, in a POCSO case in which he is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2025.

Bhageerath’s counsel, senior advocate S Niranjan Reddy, urged the court to direct police not to arrest his client, offering that stringent conditions could be imposed during the interim period. However, after a hearing that lasted more than two hours, Justice T Madhavi Devi declined relief.

“I have gone through the statement of the victim, though not in detail but cursorily, and at this stage, I’m not inclined to grant any interim order,” the judge said.

The hearing opened amid controversy, with the court taking note of what it described as a “smear campaign” on social media suggesting the judge had been “influenced” in the high-profile matter.

“I’m not shying away from hearing the matter. I will pass orders. But this is not done,” Justice Devi observed.

The judge also asked the victim’s counsel whether there were any reservations about the matter being heard by the present bench. The counsel said there were none and the court proceeded with the hearing.

During arguments, Reddy cited previous instances where interim anticipatory bail had been granted in POCSO cases. He argued that the original FIR did not allege penetrative sexual assault and claimed the victim’s subsequent statement introduced “improvements” that led to more serious charges.

According to the complaint, Bhageerath allegedly sexually assaulted the girl between October and December 2025. The two had reportedly met through mutual friends in June 2025.

In a complaint filed at Petbasheerabad police station on May 8, the girl’s mother alleged that Bhageerath subjected her daughter to repeated sexual abuse and emotional blackmail. She also alleged that he isolated the teenager and attempted to control decisions related to her education and career.

Police initially booked Bhageerath under charges related to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, along with sexual harassment and provisions of the POCSO Act. After recording the victim’s statement, investigators added the charge of aggravated sexual assault under the law.

Bhageerath has also filed a separate complaint accusing the girl’s family of extortion, alleging they pressured him to marry her or pay ₹5 crore.

Opposing the plea, the state argued that the victim was a minor and that there was no basis to grant anticipatory bail in a POCSO case. The prosecution also pointed to Bhageerath’s influential background, raising concerns about its possible impact on the victim.