Cyberabad police have been questioning Bandi Bhageerath, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, for the third consecutive day in connection with a POCSO case. He is set to appear before a trial court at Malkajgiri later today after being interrogated by a Special Investigation Team at Pet Basheerabad Police Station. The SIT, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj, is questioning Bhageerath based on investigation statements and digital evidence.
Bandi Bhageerath’s three-day police custody is concluding today, with plans to present him before the trial court in the evening. He was taken into custody at Cherlapally Central Prison on May 16, following his arrest. Police conducted his medical examination at Osmania General Hospital and later took him to a farmhouse in Moinabad for scene recreation and fact verification related to the case. The SIT is now examining him based on the victim’s statement and other relevant testimonies.
Investigators are also scrutinizing data from Bandi Bhageerath’s confiscated mobile phone. Depending on the findings from the interrogation period, authorities are likely to request an extension of the accused’s judicial custody. The case against Bhageerath, involving allegations of sexually assaulting a minor girl, was registered under the POCSO Act on May 8. It includes charges under Section 11 with 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following discussions with the victim, police invoked additional sections of the POCSO Act. Despite being summoned by the police on May 13, Bhageerath failed to appear but later sent a letter requesting a two-day delay. Subsequently, after being denied interim protection by the High Court, he was arrested on the night of May 16. While Bandi Sanjay claimed his son surrendered, Cyberabad police maintain that Bhageerath confessed to the assault, leading to his arrest and subsequent judicial remand.
