A POCSO case has been lodged against Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, over alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old girl. Simultaneously, Bageerath has filed a counter-complaint, accusing the girl and her parents of extortion and criminal intimidation, claiming they demanded ₹5 crore to drop the allegations.
The FIR against Bageerath was registered at Petbasheerabad police station, Hyderabad, under sections of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alleging misbehaviour and harassment over a period of six months. Bageerath’s counter-complaint, filed with Karimnagar II Town police, claims an attempted honey trap and a demand for ₹5 crore to prevent the filing of a false police complaint. He also alleges prior payment of ₹50,000 under duress.
The timing of the case, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Hyderabad, has intensified a political row. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the BRS, are demanding the immediate resignation or dismissal of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. They accuse the government of delaying action and potentially shielding the accused. Protests have been staged outside police stations demanding Bageerath's arrest.
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Allegations and Counter-Allegations
According to the girl's mother, Bageerath, who was allegedly in a relationship with her daughter, sexually harassed the minor at a farmhouse in Moinabad. The complaint also suggests the girl was pressured to consume alcohol and was sexually assaulted while intoxicated. The girl's family claims she attempted suicide twice due to emotional trauma.
Conversely, Bandi Bageerath’s complaint asserts that the girl and her parents initiated contact, inviting him to family functions. He alleges they later pressured him to marry her, which he refused. Following this refusal, the family allegedly demanded ₹5 crore, threatening suicide by the mother and false implication if the demand was not met. Bageerath claims he initially paid ₹50,000 out of fear.
Political Fallout
The registration of the First Information Report (FIR) against Bageerath reportedly occurred late on May 8, after his counter-complaint was filed. This sequence has drawn criticism, with some questioning the urgency of police action on the original complaint involving a minor, especially given POCSO's provisions for swift action.
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Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has dismissed the case as a "political hit job" and "political vendetta" aimed at maligning him. He has reiterated his loyalty to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticized Prime Minister Modi's silence on the matter and have questioned the handling of the case by both the Central and Telangana governments.
Investigations into both the original complaint and the counter-allegations are underway, with the 17-year-old girl yet to be examined as part of the probe. The case has ignited widespread debate regarding accountability, political influence, and the swift administration of justice in sensitive matters.
