Bandi Sai Bhagirath Released from Cherlapally Jail After Securing Bail in POCSO Case

Bandi Sai Bhagirath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar , was released from Cherlapally Central Prison on Friday after completing the legal formalities required under a bail order granted by the Telangana High Court.

The High Court had approved Bhagirath's bail on Thursday, directing him to furnish a ₹1 lakh deposit along with two sureties . Copies of the court's order reached prison authorities on Friday morning, paving the way for his release later in the day.

While granting relief, the court imposed specific conditions, including full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and a strict prohibition on influencing or intimidating witnesses connected to the case.

The case was originally registered at Pet Basheerabad Police Station on May 8 following a complaint filed by the alleged victim. During the course of the investigation, police recorded statements from the complainant and other key witnesses. Based on the evidence collected, investigators subsequently altered the charges and invoked more stringent provisions.

Authorities added charges under Section 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 , which deal with aggravated sexual offences against minors.

Bhagirath was eventually apprehended on May 16 after police received information about his whereabouts near the Police Academy area. He was taken into custody at Manchirevula Tech Park in the Narsingi police limits and subsequently shifted to Pet Basheerabad Police Station for further proceedings. He remained in judicial custody before securing bail from the High Court.

The case also triggered a political confrontation in Telangana. At the time, K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) , Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) , alleged that the state government had delayed action against Bhagirath and questioned the circumstances surrounding the time taken to arrest him.