Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bhageerath, has approached the Telangana High Court seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The petition was filed before the vacation bench of the High Court on Tuesday.
Background of the Case
The FIR was lodged against Bhageerath following a complaint alleging sexual assault of a minor. The case has drawn significant political and media attention due to the involvement of a Union Minister's family member. Bhageerath has denied all allegations, claiming that the case is baseless and filed with malicious intent.
Legal Proceedings
In his petition, Bhageerath has argued that the FIR does not disclose any prima facie offense and that the allegations are fabricated. He has sought the court's intervention to quash the proceedings at the initial stage to prevent misuse of legal process. The vacation bench is expected to hear the matter later this week.
The Telangana Police had registered the case under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. The investigation is currently underway, and the police have recorded statements of the alleged victim and other witnesses.
Political Reactions
The case has sparked reactions from various political quarters. While the ruling party has maintained silence, opposition parties have demanded a thorough investigation and questioned the minister's conduct. Bandi Sanjay Kumar, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, has not commented publicly on the matter.
Legal experts state that quashing of an FIR under such serious charges is rare and requires strong grounds. The High Court will examine whether the allegations are entirely false or if there is sufficient material to proceed with the trial.
The next hearing is scheduled for Friday, where the court may issue notices to the investigating agency and seek their response. Meanwhile, Bhageerath remains on anticipatory bail granted earlier by a lower court.
