Bandi Bhageerath, the son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, was sent to judicial custody Sunday in Telangana [1, 2].
The case involves a high-ranking government official's family member facing serious criminal charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This development places the Union Minister's family under intense legal and public scrutiny in the region.
Bhageerath was remanded to judicial custody on May 17 following an investigation by the Cyberabad Police in Hyderabad [1, 3]. The charges stem from the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl [5].
Reports on the nature of his entry into custody vary. Some sources said he was arrested after confessing to the crime [4], while other reports said he surrendered in connection with the case [3].
Prior to the remand, the Telangana High Court denied Bhageerath interim protection, which paved the way for the police to take him into custody [1, 6].
A court has ordered a 14-day period of judicial custody [1, 2]. While some reports specify this period lasts 14 days [1], another source said the remand extends until May 29, 2026 [7].
The investigation remains active as authorities process the evidence regarding the alleged assault on the minor [5, 6].
“Bandi Bhageerath was sent to judicial custody Sunday in Telangana.”
The arrest of a Union Minister's son under the POCSO Act tests the independence of the local judiciary and police in Telangana. Because the POCSO Act is designed for the protection of minors and carries stringent penalties, the denial of interim protection by the High Court suggests that the court found sufficient prima facie evidence to justify detention over immediate bail.
