Hyderabad: In a significant development in the investigation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) case involving Union Minister Bandi Sanjay's son, Bandi Sai Bageerath, the Cyberabad Police have modified the charges by incorporating Section 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This section specifically pertains to the repeated rape of the same woman and carries a minimum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment, which may extend to life imprisonment.
Details of the Charges
The police have retained the other charges under Sections 74 and 75 of the BNS, which relate to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and sexual harassment. Additionally, Section 5 of the Pocso Act remains part of the chargesheet. The inclusion of the new charge underscores the seriousness of the allegations.
Arrest and Judicial Custody
Bageerath was taken into custody on Saturday night, after which the police formally declared his arrest and produced him before the court. The magistrate remanded him to judicial custody until May 29. Subsequently, he was transferred to Cherlapally Central Prison under tight security arrangements.
Lawyers accompanying Bageerath at the time of his arrest indicated that they are in the process of filing a bail petition. The case was originally registered on May 8 by the Pet Basheerabad Police, based on a complaint lodged by the survivor's mother. Following the registration of the case, the accused allegedly went missing, and police efforts to trace him were initially unsuccessful. On Saturday night, he reportedly surrendered before the police at Manchirevula in Narsingi.
Clarification on Accused
Police have clarified that, as of now, only Bageerath has been named as an accused in the case. They have dismissed reports suggesting the involvement of any additional accused persons as false information.
