Bandi Sanjay’s Son Bhagirath Files Interim Bail Plea In Telangana HC
The High Court Vacation Bench is scheduled to hear the petition on the 14th of this month
HYDERABAD: Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered against him under provisions of the BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012. The vacation bench of the High Court will hear the petition on May 14. The FIR dated May 8 was registered against him at the Petbasheerabad police station for offences punishable under Section 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty) and Section 75 (sexual harassment) of the BNS, 2023, along with Section 11 read with Section 12 of the Pocso Act. In his petition, Bageerath argued that the FIR was a "counterblast" to the extortion complaint earlier lodged by him and his family. His contention was that the alleged victim was not minor and she was in the age group of 19 to
20.
He referred to an earlier rash-driving case registered in 2021, where the alleged victim was shown as aged about 15 years, and studying Class 9. Hence, at present, she must be at the age group of 19 to 20 and therefore offences under the Pocso Act would not apply. Further, he argued that no recovery or confrontation with the co-accused was required.
Meanwhile, the Petbasheerabad police booked another case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault against Bageerath, upon receiving an investigation report submitted by DCP Ritiraj who is heading the special investigation team (SIT) probe into the case. The SIT meanwhile served notice to Bageerath, asking him to appear before
the Petbasheerabad investigation officer on Wednesday and record his statement. It was alleged that Bageerath was untraceable, pending the hearing of his anticipatory bail petition.
The victim's recorded statement will be put up with senior officials. Police were taking legal opinion to form a tight case in view of its sensitivity, an officer said. DCP Ritiraj said arrests would be made if the offence was established during further investigation. Ritiraj earlier on Tuesday interacted with the victim, her family members.
