The Telangana High Court on Friday declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Bandi Bageerath in a POCSO case registered against him based on allegations involving a minor girl.
Justice T Madhavi Devi resumed hearing the anticipatory bail petition filed by Bageerath and observed that the court was not inclined to issue any interim order at the current stage of proceedings.
The hearing reportedly continued late into the night, after which the court indicated that detailed orders on the anticipatory bail plea would be delivered on the next sitting of the vacation court.
Defence Seeks Protection Pending Bail Order
During the proceedings, counsel representing Bageerath sought interim protection from arrest until the final order on the anticipatory bail application is pronounced.
The defence argued that the High Court has inherent powers to grant temporary relief while hearing anticipatory bail petitions. Lawyers appearing for the accused also claimed that the complainant’s family and the accused had maintained cordial relations in the past.
According to submissions made before the court, the complainant had stated that her daughter and Bageerath had known each other since 2025 and were allegedly in a relationship.
Victim’s Counsel Opposes Bail Plea
Opposing any relief to the accused, lawyers representing the victim argued that the father of the accused, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, is an influential political figure and claimed there was a possibility of evidence being affected if interim protection was granted.
The court had earlier reserved its decision on interim relief and later continued the hearing on Friday evening before declining immediate protection.
Judge Raises Concern Over Social Media Campaign
Before arguments began, the judge also reportedly expressed concern over what was described as a smear campaign on social media surrounding the case.
The court observed that such online attacks were troubling and was informed that the matter had already been brought to the notice of the city police commissioner.
Justice Madhavi Devi also stated that she would step aside from hearing the matter if any party had reservations regarding the proceedings. However, following requests from both sides, the hearing continued.
POCSO Case Registered Earlier This Month
The case against Bageerath was registered on May 8 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act following a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl.
The complaint alleged that the accused had been in a relationship with the minor and had sexually harassed her.
Police later invoked stricter provisions of the POCSO Act after recording the statement of the girl.
Meanwhile, Bageerath had also filed a separate complaint in Karimnagar, claiming the girl and her family had invited him to social gatherings and religious visits as part of a group of friends.
Police had registered an FIR based on his complaint as well.
