Hyderabad: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son Bandi Bhageerath surrendered on Saturday evening after the Cyberabad police issued a look-out circular (LOC) against him in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case.
In a statement, Bandi Sanjay Kumar said he handed over Bhageerath through advocates for police investigation in connection with the allegations made against his son and out of respect for the law.
The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said everyone is equal before the law, whether it is his son or an ordinary citizen, and added that everyone must abide by the law.
The BJP leader from Telangana, who earlier insisted that his family was being targeted and maligned, said his son has repeatedly maintained that he committed no wrongdoing.
According to Sanjay Kumar, he initially intended to hand his son over to the police soon after a complaint was lodged. However, his lawyers after seeing available evidence reportedly said the case will be dismissed and bail will be granted.
Though the lawyers believe even now that Bhageerath will get bail, the Union minister decided not to delay the matter further and personally brought his son to hand him over through lawyers for investigation.
The minister said he has complete faith in the judiciary, and expects court orders on Monday.
Cyberabad Police issued a look-out circular against Bhageerath after booking him under the POCSO Act.
On Friday evening, the Telangana High Court refused to grant Bhageerath interim protection from arrest.
The case was registered on May 8 under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and POCSO Act based on a complaint filed by a 17-year-old girl’s mother.
Complaint and counter complaint
The complainant alleged that Bhageerath was in a relationship with her daughter and sexually harassed her.
The relationship began around June 2025 through common acquaintances and continued over Instagram and Snapchat. After gaining the minor girl’s trust by promising marriage after she turned 18, Bhageerath exerted emotional pressure on her, the mother claimed.
In a counter-complaint, Bhageerath alleged that the girl, who became acquainted with him, invited him to family functions and group gatherings. Police registered an FIR based on his complaint as well.
Bhageerath alleged that the girl and her parents pressured him to marry her. When he rejected the proposal, the girl’s parents allegedly demanded money and threatened to file false complaints against him if he did not pay.
Bhageerath went on to claim that he gave Rs 50,000 to the girl’s father, but the family later demanded Rs 5 crore. He further alleged that they threatened the girl’s mother will commit suicide if he didn’t meet their demands.
