Union Minister's Son Arrested in POCSO Case; Claims of Surrender Disputed

Telangana Police reject Bandi Bhagirath's voluntary surrender claim amid POCSO allegations

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed on Saturday that he had handed over his son Bandi Bhagirath to police in connection with a POCSO case. However, within minutes of his statement, Telangana Police contradicted the narrative, confirming the arrest but rejecting any suggestion of voluntary surrender.

"Accused Bhagirath has been arrested on the outskirts of Hyderabad city. This is not a surrender," a police statement read, signaling a widening gap between the minister's public position and ground reality.

The Case and Initial Complaint

The case stems from an allegation filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl on May 8. According to the complainant, Bhagirath sexually exploited her daughter following a promise of marriage. Police registered a case invoking provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Investigators said the two had been in contact for roughly seven to eight months before the complaint. The minor's mother alleged that during this period, sexual assault took place. Bhagirath has denied the charges.

High Court Denies Protection

The path to arrest gained clarity on Friday evening when the Telangana High Court refused to grant Bhagirath protection from arrest. Justice T Madhavi Devi heard his petition, which stretched nearly to midnight as his legal team sought interim bail until the order was finalized.

The defence argued that the court had authority to grant bail pending final hearing, and claimed the girl's family had pressured him for marriage after taking ₹50,000 initially, later escalating demands to ₹5 crore. However, the judge remained unmoved.

Before proceedings began, Justice Devi made an unusual statement: "A misinformation campaign was run against me on social media, which has caused me distress." The remark underscored the case's high-profile nature and online frenzy surrounding it.

Counter-Narrative from the Accused

Bhagirath has filed his own complaint, alleging a honey trap and extortion scheme. Through a statement issued by the minister's public relations office, he claimed a woman attempted to trap him through her daughter and later blackmailed him for money. The statement also suggested the victim's actual age differed from what was being reported.

Police booked a lookout circular against Bhagirath earlier to prevent him from fleeing the country—a procedural step that preceded his eventual arrest.

Minister's Public Stand

Bandi Sanjay Kumar had previously stated that if his son is found guilty, he should face punishment like any other citizen. "Everyone is equal before the law," the minister said, a position that appeared tested once his son actually faced arrest.

The minister's framing of handing over his son voluntarily stood at odds with police records showing an active arrest operation, not a surrender arrangement.

Political Fallout

Opposition leaders seized on the case swiftly. BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao questioned the police's handling and pointed to delays in action against the minister's son. He demanded that Bandi Sanjay Kumar either resign or face removal from his post, questioning whether any special exemption had been extended.

"Where is the government's 'Beti Bachao' campaign now?" KTR asked, referencing the BJP's child protection initiative. He alleged the victim was facing injustice while the accused received differential treatment.

What Happens Next

Bhagirath's remand status and further proceedings in the case remain pending. The divergence between the minister's narrative of voluntary surrender and police confirmation of arrest has already drawn scrutiny from multiple quarters.

The case now sits at the intersection of law enforcement, political messaging, and allegations of protectionism—a terrain that will likely stay contentious as investigation proceeds.