Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Bhageerath Sai, was arrested by Telangana Police in connection with a sexual assault case involving a minor girl after the Telangana High Court declined to grant him interim protection from arrest. The case has drawn significant political and public attention due to the serious allegations and the involvement of the family of a Union minister.
The case was registered following allegations made by a 17-year-old girl, who accused Sai of harassment and sexual assault. Based on the complaint, police booked the 25-year-old under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The arrest came hours after a late-night hearing at the Telangana High Court, where Sai’s legal team sought interim relief from arrest. However, Justice T Madhavi Devi reportedly refused to issue any immediate protection, stating that the court was not inclined to pass an interim order at this stage of the investigation. The matter is expected to continue in court in the coming days.
Reacting to the arrest, Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated that his family would fully cooperate with the investigation and respect the judicial process. In a statement shared on social media, the minister emphasized that everyone is equal before the law, regardless of personal or political background.
Kumar said that his son had appeared before the Telangana Police through legal representatives for investigation and maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing. The minister added that legal experts had examined the available evidence and advised them to address the matter through proper legal channels.
Despite legal proceedings still being underway, Kumar said he did not want his family to avoid the investigation or create the impression of non-cooperation. He expressed confidence in the judicial system and said justice would ultimately prevail.
During the court hearing, Sai’s counsel argued that the relationship between him and the complainant had earlier been cordial and consensual. The defence referred to statements allegedly made by the complainant’s mother, suggesting that the two had been in a relationship since last year. However, the survivor’s lawyer opposed the bail request and argued against granting any immediate relief.
Sai has denied all allegations and claimed that the case was part of an alleged “honey-trap and extortion attempt.” According to him, he had previously approached the police claiming that the girl and her family were pressuring him to marry her and demanding Rs 5 crore from him. The allegations and counterclaims are now part of the ongoing investigation.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar also rejected accusations made against his son and alleged that opposition parties were spreading false propaganda to target his family politically. However, police officials have stated that the investigation will proceed based on evidence and statements collected during the inquiry.
The incident has sparked intense debate on social media and in political circles, especially because the matter involves charges under the POCSO Act, which deals with offences involving minors. Authorities are expected to continue questioning individuals connected to the case while examining digital and documentary evidence.
The final outcome will depend on the findings of the police investigation and future court proceedings.
