Hyderabad police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Concurrently, Bhagirath has filed a counter First Information Report (FIR), alleging an attempt to extort Rs 5 crore from him to withdraw the initial complaint. Both cases are currently under investigation by Hyderabad police.

The POCSO case against Bandi Bhagirath was registered at the Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar (SR Nagar) police station in Hyderabad following a complaint filed on May 26. The complaint was lodged by the family members of a 17-year-old girl. According to the police report, Bhagirath is accused of harassing and threatening the minor girl in February of the current year. The sections invoked in the case include:

  • Sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
  • Sections 9(1) and 10 of the POCSO Act. Police officials confirmed that the case is under active investigation, with statements being recorded and evidence being gathered.

In response to the POCSO complaint, Bandi Bhagirath filed a counter FIR at the Bowenpally police station on May 28. In his complaint, Bhagirath alleges that certain individuals demanded a sum of Rs 5 crore from him to withdraw the POCSO case. The individuals named in Bhagirath's counter complaint include S Anish, S Rajesh, M Sai Charan, Pavan Kumar, and Bandari Naresh. The counter FIR has been registered under:

  • Sections 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. Police have initiated an inquiry into these allegations as well.

This development marks another instance of legal scrutiny involving Bandi Bhagirath. Earlier this year, in February, Bhagirath was reportedly involved in an alleged assault case where a video depicting the incident circulated widely. He was subsequently arrested in connection with that case and later released on bail. The university he attended had also suspended him following the incident. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has not yet issued an official statement regarding the dual FIRs involving his son. The simultaneous registration of a serious case like POCSO and a counter-allegation of extortion has drawn significant public and media attention in Telangana.

Hyderabad police authorities have confirmed that both the POCSO case and the extortion case are being investigated independently and thoroughly. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigations progress, including the collection of evidence and interrogation of the involved parties. No arrests have been reported in either case as of the latest updates.