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POCSO case against Bandi Sanjay’s son: Telangana police say they are unable to trace accused

At the same time, Bandi Sanjay announced a “Hindu Ekta Yatra” to be held on Tuesday, calling on supporters to “demonstrate our strength” and “show our force”.

South First Desk

Published May 11, 2026 | 10:21 PM ⚊ Updated May 11, 2026 | 10:21 PM

Telangana police

DCP Ritiraj said the accused was still absconding and that the SIT was examining his call detail records and searching for his whereabouts.

Synopsis: Telangana police on Monday said they were unable to trace Bandi Sai Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, who has been booked under the POCSO Act for alleged grooming, emotional manipulation and sexual exploitation of a minor. Kukatpally DCP Ritiraj said the SIT was examining the accused’s call records to locate him. At the same time, Bandi Sanjay announced a “Hindu Ekta Yatra” in Karimnagar on Tuesday and called on supporters to “demonstrate our strength” and “show our force”.

Telangana police on Monday evening, 11 May, said they were unable to locate Bandi Sai Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, who is accused of a sustained pattern of “grooming, emotional manipulation and sexual exploitation” of a minor since June 2025.

Days after a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Telangana government hurriedly formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) earlier in the day following widespread backlash over alleged inaction in the case. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kukatpally) Ritiraj is leading the probe.

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, the DCP said the accused was still absconding and that the SIT was examining his call detail records (CDR) and searching for his whereabouts.

“If we find him and if the offence against him is proven, we will definitely arrest him. A POCSO case has been registered with us. After the POCSO case was registered, whatever procedures are required by law in the case until now — even over the last one or two days — our personnel made extensive efforts and collected all the documentation. We are also trying to gather information about the accused through CDR records. If we locate him, we will definitely catch him. A POCSO case has been registered in our police station. It is our responsibility to ensure proper justice for the victim. Whatever is mentioned in the case complaint, we will verify all of it and conduct a proper investigation,” she said.

Further, the DCP said police would speak with the survivor again to gather more information.

“The victim’s statement has already been recorded once. Further, we still need some more information in this matter. That is why we will speak with her once again,” she added.

At the same time, Bandi Sanjay announced a “Hindu Ekta Yatra” to be held on Tuesday, calling on supporters to “demonstrate our strength” and “show our force”.

In a post on X, the minister said the procession would begin at Vaishya Bhavan at 4 pm on Tuesday and pass through Rajiv Chowk, Tower Circle, Prakasham Ganj, Shastri Road, Kaman, One Town Police Station, Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Amaraveerula Stupam and Prof Jayashankar Statue before returning to the starting point.

Also Read: ‘Groomed, exploited by son; pressured by Bandi Sanjay’: Survivor’s mother alleges in POCSO complaint

The case

Pet Basheerabad police on the outskirts of Hyderabad registered an FIR against Bandi Sai Bhagirath (FIR No. 684/2026) on 8 May under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 11 read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act. As required under the POCSO Act, the inspector of Pet Basheerabad police station filed a report before the IX Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, Cyberabad, at Medchal.

The accused, on the false promise of marriage and by gaining psychological control over the minor to isolate her, subjected her to repeated physical and sexual abuse at various locations, mostly farmhouses on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The complainant named specific apartments and farmhouses where the alleged exploitation took place.

The Station House Officer also submitted to the court the four-page complaint filed by the girl’s mother, which details what allegedly transpired during the relationship between Bhagirath and the minor girl.

(Edited by Dese Gowda)

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