The political atmosphere in Telangana has intensified after a serious allegation surfaced against Bandi Sai Bhagirath, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay. The case has drawn attention not only because of the nature of the allegations but also due to the political profile of the family involved.
On Monday, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed Director General of Police CV Anand to speed up the investigation into the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered against Bhagirath. The Chief Minister reportedly questioned the delay in the probe and asked why no significant action had been taken even after the case was filed at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station in Hyderabad.
During the discussion, the Chief Minister instructed the police department to form special teams so that the investigation could move forward without further delay. According to officials present in the meeting, the DGP informed the Chief Minister that several police personnel had been busy managing security arrangements for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting in Hyderabad, which affected the progress of the case. However, Revanth Reddy stressed that a case involving a minor demanded urgent attention and careful handling.
Soon after the directions were issued, Telangana Police appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj to lead the investigation. Police confirmed that the case had been registered on May 8 under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act.
According to the complaint filed with the police, a 17-year-old girl alleged that Bhagirath sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The girl claimed that she was made to consume alcohol before the alleged incidents took place and said the assault happened on two separate occasions.
While the police began their initial inquiry, Bhagirath filed a counter-complaint at the Two Town Police Station in Karimnagar on the same day the case was registered. In his complaint, he accused the girl and her parents of attempting to extort money from him and threatening to file criminal charges if he did not comply with their demands.
Bhagirath claimed he met the girl through common friends and that over time the two families became familiar with each other. According to him, both families had social interactions and even travelled together to temples in Vijayawada, Arunachalam and Tirumala. He alleged that the situation changed later when the girl’s parents allegedly pressured him to marry their daughter.
In his statement, Bhagirath told police that when he refused the marriage proposal, the girl’s family allegedly began threatening him with legal action. He claimed that he paid ₹50,000 to the girl’s father on one occasion, but later the family demanded ₹5 crore. He further alleged that the girl’s mother threatened to commit suicide if the money was not paid.
The matter has also reached the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Its chairperson, Kothakota Seetha Dayakar Reddy, stated that the commission would examine the case after obtaining detailed information from city police. A special bench has been constituted to look into the allegations and ensure that the rights of the minor involved are protected.
The commission has also written to Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar seeking suo motu action in the matter. Officials from the commission said they are closely monitoring developments and will review the findings of the police investigation.
Because the accused is the son of a Union minister, the case has quickly become politically sensitive in Telangana. Authorities have said that the investigation will proceed strictly according to law and that all claims, including the allegations and the counter-complaint, will be examined carefully before any conclusions are reached.