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Women protested outside Petbasheerabad police station on Sunday, demanding the immediate arrest of Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, following the registration of a POCSO case against him. The demonstration, led by local women, called for swift legal action and the resignation of the Union Minister over alleged delays in arresting the accused.
The Petbasheerabad police registered the case Friday night based on a complaint by a 17-year-old girl, who alleged she was sexually assaulted by Bhageerath at a farmhouse in Moinabad on December 31. The FIR states she was pressured into drinking alcohol and, between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., the accused entered her room in an intoxicated state and assaulted her despite her resistance. The report also cited digital messages in which Bhageerath allegedly apologized and acknowledged causing emotional harm.
The girl’s family reported she attempted suicide twice in January due to trauma and claimed they faced intimidation after pursuing legal action. Hours before the POCSO case was filed, Bandi Bhageerath lodged a separate complaint at Karimnagar Town-I Police Station, alleging he was being blackmailed and harassed by the victim’s family.
Police confirmed both complaints are under investigation and actions will follow based on evidence. No arrest has been made yet in the POCSO case.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities said further steps, including possible arrests, will be determined after evidence collection. The court is expected to review the case filings early this week.