Bandi Sanjay’s son misses time to appear before investigators in POCSO case, women stage protest at police station

On a day Bandi Sai Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, is expected to be questioned in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act registered against him, several women staged a noisy protest outside the Petbasheerabad police station in Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).

Women representing various organisations gathered near the police station holding flags, banners and placards demanding justice in the case. Police personnel were seen dispersing and controlling the crowd amid heavy security arrangements in the area. A similar protest was held by women groups on Sunday.

The protest came on the day the accused was summoned by the police for questioning in connection with the case. Cyberabad police, on Tuesday, served him a notice directing him to appear before investigators at the Petbasheerabad police station by 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

The accused however had not arrive at the police station as of 2.05 p.m., effectively missing the first summons issued by the police.

Meanwhile, posters describing Bhagirath as “absconding” surfaced in Serilingampally and Gachibowli areas. The posters urged public to alert the nearest police station if they had information about his whereabouts.

The case was registered on May 8 following allegations of sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl. According to the notice served by police, the case was initially booked under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act based on a complaint lodged by the minor girl’s mother.

The police later altered the charges to Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which relate to aggravated sexual assault, based on the victim’s statement.

The notice issued by the Station House Officer of Petbasheerabad Police Station warned that failure to appear before investigators could result in legal action being initiated against the accused. Bhagirath has meanwhile approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. Further investigation is underway.