Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son Bandi Bhageerath Sai has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, hours after the Telangana High Court denied him interim protection from arrest.
Kumar, who is the junior minister for Home Affairs and a BJP MP, said on Saturday that he handed Sai over to the police for investigation into the case, which was registered after a 17-year-old girl accused him of harassment and sexual assault.
The 25-year-old was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In a post on X, Kumar wrote that he believes everyone is equal before the law.
“With utmost respect for the law and judiciary, today my son Bandi Bhageerath went before the Telangana Police through our advocates for investigation. I have said this before too: whether it is my own son or a common citizen, everyone is equal before the law. My son has consistently maintained that he has committed no mistake. After consulting legal experts and placing before them the evidence available with us, we were advised that the matter would be addressed appropriately through the legal process,” the minister wrote.
Satyameva Jayate
With utmost respect for the law and judiciary, today my son Bandi Bhageerath went before the Telangana Police through our advocates for investigation.
I have said this before too: whether it is my own son or a common citizen, everyone is equal before the law.…
— Bandi Sanjay Kumar (@bandisanjay_bjp) May 16, 2026
“At the same time, I believe in fully cooperating with the investigation and respecting the judicial system. Even though court proceedings are underway and orders are expected next week, and despite advice from our legal team, I felt there should be no hesitation from our side in cooperating with the inquiry. I have complete faith in the justice system. Justice may be delayed, but not denied,” he added.
In a hearing that lasted until nearly midnight on Friday, the Telangana High Court did not grant Sai interim protection from arrest. Sai’s counsel told the judge that the survivor’s mother, who is the complainant in the case, had said that her daughter had entered into a relationship with him last year and that it was cordial. The bail plea was opposed by the survivor’s lawyer.
Justice T Madhavi Devi said she was not inclined to issue any interim order at this stage.
‘Extortion Attempt’
Sai has maintained that the case was the result of a “honey-trap and extortion attempt“. He said he had earlier approached the police, alleging that the girl and her parents were pressuring him to marry her and demanding Rs 5 crore.
Kumar had also rejected the allegations and said they were “false propaganda” being spread by the Opposition.
