Posters were put up near Secunderabad railway station in Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 13) announcing that Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, had absconded. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
The Cyberabad police have sent several teams to New Delhi and Karimnagar as the investigation into the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenders Act (POCSO) case against Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, intensified on Wednesday (May 13). The accused has been on the run for five days, despite the police alerting him.
Speaking to The Hindu, Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Ramesh said police teams were earlier sent to Delhi and Karimnagar to trace Mr. Bageerath, while another team was sent to Karimnagar following a letter allegedly written by the accused to appear before investigators started circulating on social media.
This development came hours after Mr. Bageerath failed to appear before the Petbasheerabad police within the deadline specified in the notice issued to him in connection with the case.
“We are yet to receive the letter officially but it is being widely circulated on social media platforms,” the commissioner said.
Mr Bageerath has been directed to appear before investigators by 2pm on Wednesday. Instead of appearing before the investigating officer, he wrote a letter seeking a two-day extension to join the investigation.
Pet Basheerabad police station where Bandi Sai Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, was expected to appear on Wednesday (May 13). | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
In a letter addressed to the Station House Officer of the Petbasheerabad police station, Mr. Bageerath said that he was willing to cooperate with the investigation and help the police. However, he cited “extremely short notice” and “personal difficulties” as reasons for his absence on Wednesday.
He has asked for two more days to gather documents and information at his disposal to “meaningfully assist” the investigation before appearing before police.
Investigators believe Mr Bageerath may be awaiting the outcome of his anticipatory bail application filed in the Telangana High Court, which is expected to be heard on Thursday (May 14).
The notice issued to Mr. Bageerath was in accordance with Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers the police to require the presence of a person during an investigation. The provision does not prescribe any immediate criminal consequences for failure to appear within the original period specified in the notice.
Meanwhile, several women’s groups staged protests outside the Petbasheerabad police station demanding action in the case.
All Women Democratic Students Organization of India and Progressive Organization of Women activists stage a protest at Tank Bund in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Posters claiming that Mr Bageerath had “run away” were also put up in Serilingampally earlier in the day, urging members of the public to alert the nearest police station if they had information about his whereabouts.
A case was registered against Mr. Bageerath on May 8 after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The police initially booked the case under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and Sections 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act before later changing the charge to Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deal with aggravated sexual assault.
Published – 13 May 2026 14:47 IST
