Hyderabad: Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, sought additional time from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the POCSO case registered against him.
Bhagirath informed the Pet Basheerabad police through an email that he would appear before the SIT on Friday. The SIT had issued notices to him on May 12, directing him to attend questioning on Wednesday at 2 PM.
He did not appear before investigators at the scheduled time. Officials said Bhagirath sent the email nearly three hours after the deadline expired and assured the SIT that he would cooperate with the inquiry.
In the communication, Bandi Bhagirath also stated that he would appear with “complete evidence” connected to the case.
Bandi Bhagirath fails to attend SIT questioning
The case attracted political attention after allegations surfaced against Bhagirath under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police registered the case on May 8 based on a complaint filed by family members of a 17-year-old girl from Suchitra in Quthbullapur. The complaint alleged sexual harassment.
The SIT investigating the matter is functioning under the supervision of Kukatpally Zone DCP Rithiraj.
Initially, police booked cases against Bhagirath under Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act along with Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
After reviewing the victim’s statement again, the SIT reportedly added Section 5(i) of the POCSO Act, which relates to aggravated sexual assault and premeditated sexual acts.