Legal Storm Brews: Union Minister's Son Seeks Bail Amid Sexual Harassment Charges

Bandi Sai Bageerath, the son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay and a student at Mahindra University, has moved the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail. This follows serious allegations of sexual harassment, reflected in an FIR filed at Petbasheerabad Police Station. Charges include outraging modesty and violations under the POCSO Act.

The victim's mother claims that Bageerath drew her daughter into a relationship under false marriage promises, behaving inappropriately and pressuring her into consuming alcohol. The relationship ended in January 2026, after which the girl reportedly attempted self-harm. Bageerath dismisses the case as a retaliation against a criminal complaint he filed against her family.

In his complaint, Bageerath accuses the parents of extortion, alleging they tried to coerce Rs 5 crores by threatening their daughter's suicide. A pivotal argument in his defense is the girl's age, citing a 2021 underage driving charge sheet indicating she would have been an adult during the incidents, making POCSO inapplicable.

The defense also argues that an eight-month delay in filing the complaint is indicative of fabricated and politically motivated allegations, emphasizing the families' friendly relations and shared religious trips. Legal precedents suggest arrests for crimes with maximum sentences under seven years should be rare, and Bageerath maintains that his societal ties and willingness to comply should preclude his arrest.

Telangana Police Special Investigation Team has summoned Bageerath to appear at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station for questioning. Dr. CH Vamshikrishna, Bageerath's maternal uncle, is also to present himself for inquiry, with warnings of legal consequences for noncompliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)