The Telangana High Court, on Friday evening, declined to grant immediate protection from arrest to Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The decision comes in connection with a case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court stated it would deliver its final orders on his interim anticipatory bail petition on May 21st.
Justice Madhavi Devi, presiding over the vacation bench, indicated she was "not inclined to grant any interim order at this stage," after reviewing the victim's statement. This refusal leaves Bageerath vulnerable to police action as investigations proceed. The victim's counsel reportedly argued against granting relief, citing a "strong likelihood of evidence tampering" due to the accused's alleged influence and past history of two other FIRs.
Accusations and Counterclaims Surface
The allegations against Bageerath, as per court proceedings, involve claims that he "induced the victim and used and dumped her." His counsel, however, maintained that a "cordial relationship" existed between Bageerath and the victim. This narrative is countered by the victim's lawyer, who contended that while a relationship may have existed, it did not legalize acts prohibited under POCSO, especially with the victim being a minor.
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Adding a layer of complexity, Bageerath himself has reportedly filed a complaint alleging an "extortion attempt" by the victim's family. He claimed the girl and her parents pressured him to marry her and later demanded money, threatening to file false complaints if their demands were not met. This counter-complaint, according to reports, was lodged after the victim's detailed statement was recorded and graver sections of the POCSO Act were added to the case.
Legal Proceedings and Background
The matter is currently before a vacation bench of the Telangana High Court. The defense had initially requested the court to consider passing a final order for anticipatory bail at the earliest, stating their client wished to cooperate with the investigation. However, the State's counsel firmly stated there was "no question of granting the petitioner anticipatory bail in a POCSO case" given the victim's minor status.
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Bandi Sai Bageerath is the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The case, registered at the Petnasheerabad police station, centers on accusations of repeated sexual assault against a minor. The High Court's decision to reserve orders until May 21st means Bageerath remains without immediate legal protection from arrest. The ongoing legal battle underscores the gravity of the POCSO allegations and the court's cautious approach in deciding on interim relief.
