Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Bhageerath, was taken into custody by Cyberabad Police on Saturday evening in connection with a POCSO case involving the alleged repeated sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl. However, while the family says that Bhageerath surrendered, police said that it was not a surrender.
In a statement issued through his office earlier on Saturday, Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed he had “handed over” his son to police through an advocate for investigation. “Today I have handed over my son Bandi Bhageerath before the police through an advocate for investigation… I have full respect for the judiciary,” the minister said. He added that his son maintained his innocence and that legal teams had initially advised on bail after reviewing evidence, which caused some delay.
Hyderabad, Telangana | On his son Bandi Bageerath POCSO case, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, "Today I have handed over my son Bandi Bhageerath before the police through an advocate for investigation… I have previously said that all are equal before the law. My son has…
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2026
However, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Ramesh said that “It was not a surrender.” The officer said that Bhageerath was apprehended on the outskirts of Hyderabad and shifted to Petbasheerabad police station for further legal procedures.
The development came hours after the Telangana High Court rejected Bhageerath’s plea for interim protection from arrest in his anticipatory bail application. Police had been actively pursuing the accused, who had been absconding since the FIR was registered on May 8 at Petbasheerabad police station.
Multiple special teams were formed, a look-out circular (LOC) was issued, and searches were conducted in Delhi, Karimnagar, and other locations using call data records and other technical inputs. He had also failed to appear before police despite summons issued earlier this week.
The case has triggered a major political row in Telangana, with opposition parties, activists, and women’s groups staging protests demanding immediate arrest and strict action. The complainant, the girl’s mother, has alleged that Bhageerath emotionally manipulated and sexually exploited her daughter over several months on the pretext of marriage, and that the family faced intimidation.
Police have invoked stringent provisions of the POCSO Act. Bhageerath’s side has countered with allegations of extortion and a honeytrap, and the minister has sought removal of media content linking him personally to the case.
