Telangana High Court Refuses Interim Protection from Arrest to Bandi Sai Bageerath in POCSO Case

May 16, 2026 : The Telangana High Court has refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Bandi Sai Bageerath in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The oral order was passed on Friday by a single-judge Bench of Justice T Madhavi Devi after an extended hearing that continued late into the night.

The Court observed that a final decision could not be passed immediately in view of the large volume of documents, precedents and material placed before it. However, after briefly examining the victim’s statement, the Bench stated that it was not inclined to restrain the police from arresting the petitioner at this stage.

Bageerath had approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR registered on May 8 at Petbasheerabad Police Station. The FIR invokes provisions of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to allegations of sexual assault on a minor girl.

During the hearing, the Court expressed concern over social media commentary and online allegations directed against the judiciary in relation to the case. The Bench orally remarked that attempts were being made to create controversy around the proceedings and clarified that such campaigns would not affect the Court’s adjudication, which would be strictly in accordance with law.

Senior Advocate S Niranjan Reddy, appearing for the petitioner, argued that anticipatory bail can be granted even in POCSO matters and relied on precedents where interim protection had been extended in similar cases. He submitted that even if the allegations in the complaint were accepted in entirety, the ingredients necessary to attract penetrative sexual assault charges under the POCSO Act were not made out.

The defence further contended that the allegations were subsequently expanded during the course of investigation after legal consultation and that the original complaint did not contain accusations amounting to penetrative sexual assault. It was argued that these later additions cast doubt on the prosecution’s case. The petitioner also expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

Clarifying the scope of the petition, the defence stated that Bageerath was not seeking quashing of the FIR but only anticipatory bail pending investigation.

The defence additionally referred to portions of the complaint suggesting that the victim and the petitioner were allegedly in a relationship. Reference was also made to a separate complaint lodged by Bageerath before the Karimnagar police alleging coercion, extortion demands and threats by the complainant’s family. According to the defence, an FIR had also been registered on the basis of that complaint.

Opposing the plea, the State argued that the victim was a minor and submitted that no case for anticipatory bail was made out considering the serious nature of allegations under the POCSO Act. The prosecution informed the Court that investigation was ongoing and that additional stringent provisions had been invoked after the victim’s statement was recorded.

Counsel appearing for the complainant, who is the victim’s mother, also opposed interim protection and argued that the complaint disclosed specific allegations made by the victim. It was further contended that the petitioner belonged to an influential political family, raising apprehensions regarding possible witness intimidation, tampering of evidence and interference with the investigation. The complainant’s counsel also informed the Court that two other FIRs had allegedly been registered earlier against the petitioner.

In rejoinder submissions, Senior Advocate Reddy denied allegations of political influence and argued that developments in the investigation itself demonstrated absence of interference from the petitioner’s family.

The High Court had earlier indicated that it would hear the victim before deciding the plea for interim protection. The Bench also stated that a detailed order would be passed on the next working day of the vacation bench. The detailed order is awaited.

According to submissions made before the Court, the Telangana Government has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to constitute special investigation teams for conducting a comprehensive probe into the allegations. No arrest has been made so far.