Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Thursday granted bail to MoS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son Bandi Sai Bageerath in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) case registered against him at the Petbasheerabad police station. Bageerath has been in judicial remand since his arrest on May 19.A criminal case was registered against Sai Bageerath at the Petbasheerabad police station on May 8 based on a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. According to the complaint, Bageerath was reportedly in a relationship with the minor and allegedly subjected her to sexual harassment. After police recorded the survivor’s statement, more serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Pocso Act were added to the case.Disposing of the bail petition, Justice K Sujana said: “The bail is allowed.” The judge directed him to execute two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each before the trial court concerned. The court also imposed other regular bail conditions like not influencing the survivor or witnesses or tampering with the evidence, etc.Noting that Bageerath has been in jail for 55 days and 25 witnesses were already examined, the court ruled that “his further incarceration is unnecessary”, adding that prosecution and victim concerns could be adequately addressed through conditions. Granting bail, the judge directed him to deposit his passport and obtain permission from the court before leaving India. He must appear before the Petbasheerabad SHO every Monday at 11:00 am for eight weeks or until the chargesheet is filed.Furthermore, Bageerath has been barred from contacting or influencing the survivor, her mother, or any witnesses, and cannot visit places they frequent. The court strictly prohibited him from making public statements, giving interviews, or sharing any content regarding the case on social media until the trial concludes. The court clarified that any violation of these conditions would be grounds for moving a bail cancellation petition.Earlier, his counsel T Niranjan Reddy argued that Bageerath should be granted bail in view of the investigation being almost complete in the case. He also contended that, being a student, his life was already shattered due to the case.Public prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao opposed the bail, arguing that though the investigation was complete and a chargesheet would be filed soon. “There is every chance of the accused threatening the victims and tampering with the evidence,” he added.The survivor’s counsel, Pappu Nageshwar Rao, too, opposed the bail, apprehending that his father’s (Bandi Sanjay’s) position would influence a fair trial and the examined witnesses would not come forward. He argued that more witnesses had to be examined before filing the chargesheet.After hearing the arguments of all the parties, the high court judge granted him regular bail with conditions. Earlier, during the remand, the trial court had granted him six-day bail to appear for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) examinations.
