The mother of a minor girl at the center of a POCSO case has come forward with allegations of intimidation and emotional manipulation following her family's decision to pursue legal action against Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The mother asserts that influential individuals have attempted to mediate and exert pressure on her family since they reported the alleged offenses in May 2026. She has publicly appealed for a fair investigation, requesting authorities to preserve crucial evidence, including electronic records and CCTV footage, for forensic examination.
The case, registered at the Pet-Basheerabad police station, involves accusations of sexual harassment and exploitation of the minor. According to the mother's statement, Bageerath allegedly engaged in inappropriate physical acts with her daughter on multiple occasions, including at a farmhouse in Moinabad on the night of December 31. The complaint further details allegations that Bageerath circulated private information and photos of the victim, contributing to her distress. The mother emphasized that her daughter, who was reportedly 17 years old at the time of the alleged incidents, deserves protection and a future free from public humiliation.
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In response to the POCSO case, Bandi Bageerath has filed a counter-complaint alleging extortion. He claims the girl's family pressured him to marry her and threatened false complaints if he refused. Bageerath asserts he paid ₹50,000 to the girl's father out of fear, and that the mother threatened suicide if he did not comply with demands, which he claims escalated to ₹5 crore. He has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
The matter has ignited a significant political controversy in Telangana. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has approached the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State Women's Commission, alleging selective policing, diluted charges, and intimidation of the victim's family. The BRS has also accused the police of failing to conduct an effective investigation and sought action against officers perceived as negligent or biased. Conversely, political opponents have amplified the case on social media, with pro-BJP accounts suggesting the counter-FIR points to extortion and calling for an unbiased probe.
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Meanwhile, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has stated that his son should face punishment if found guilty, while also alleging the case is a political maneuver to malign his family. He expressed distress over the allegations. Police reports indicate that Bandi Bageerath is currently absconding, with teams reportedly searching for him. The Telangana Chief Minister has reportedly directed an intensified investigation into the POCSO case.
Background of the Allegations
The initial complaint against Bandi Bageerath reportedly details sexual abuse occurring over several months, with the relationship allegedly initiated through common friends. The FIR, lodged after the victim's family approached the Petbasheerabad police station, outlines incidents of inappropriate touching and forceful physical acts, particularly on December 31. The complaint also references prior inappropriate behavior by Bageerath within the victim's own apartment. The age of the victim, stated to be 17, is a key factor under the POCSO Act, where consent of a minor is considered legally immaterial in cases of sexual offenses. The family claims to possess chat and call records as alleged evidence of Bageerath's attempts to pursue the relationship.
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