Minister Bandi Sanjay’s son booked under POCSO following minor’s complaint in Hyderabad

Telangana Police have launched a dual investigation into a high-profile case involving Bandi Bhageerath, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

The young man has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following allegations of sexual assault made by a 17-year-old girl.

The complainant, a Class 10 dropout, alleged that the assault took place during a social gathering at a farmhouse in Moinabad on December 31. Following formal verification of her age, the Petbasheerabad police registered the case under the POCSO provisions.

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However, the legal situation has been complicated by a counter-complaint filed by Bhageerath a day earlier. In his statement to the Karimnagar Town-I police, he alleged that he was the victim of a sophisticated trap and extortion plot orchestrated by the girl’s family.

Bhageerath claimed that the two met through mutual acquaintances and maintained a social friendship that included group trips to various religious sites. He alleged that the relationship soured after he rejected the family’s demands for marriage. According to his complaint, the family subsequently threatened to implicate him in false criminal cases unless a sum of ₹5 crore was paid. He further claimed that he had already paid ₹50,000 to the girl’s father under duress before the demands escalated.

The authorities confirmed that both cases are being investigated separately, and the investigations are ongoing.

(With inputs from Agencies)