Telangana High Court Reserves Order on Bandi Bhagirath Bail Plea in POCSO Case
The Telangana High Court has reserved its order on the bail petition filed by Bandi Bhagirath, who is an accused in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court concluded the proceedings and said it would pronounce its decision at a later date.
During the hearing, counsel representing the alleged victim opposed the bail application, arguing that Bhagirath should remain in judicial custody while the investigation continues. The victim's legal team contended that granting bail at this stage could adversely affect the ongoing investigation and the collection of evidence.
Police from Pet Basheerabad submitted a counter before the High Court opposing the bail plea. According to the police, the case was registered following a complaint filed by the mother of the minor girl. Investigators informed the court that the charges were revised after recording the victim's statement, citing the seriousness of the allegations that emerged during the investigation.
The government's counsel told the court that, according to the victim's statement, the accused allegedly became acquainted with the minor under the guise of friendship and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual assault. These submissions were presented as part of the prosecution's argument against the grant of bail.
Concerns Over the Investigation
Appearing for the victim, the advocate argued that releasing the accused while the investigation remains underway could influence witnesses and compromise the integrity of the proceedings. The submission stated that several witnesses are yet to be examined and that they could be reluctant to provide statements if the accused is released on bail.
The victim's counsel further argued that the investigation would be conducted more transparently if the accused remained in custody until key stages of the inquiry were completed. The legal team urged the court not to grant bail while evidence collection and witness examination are still in progress.
Reference to Family Background
During the hearing, the victim's counsel also argued that the accused's father is a Union minister, asserting that this has had an impact on the case. On that basis, the court was requested to exercise caution and refrain from granting bail during the investigation phase.
The submissions formed part of the arguments presented by the victim's side opposing the bail petition. The source material does not indicate that the court made any findings regarding these assertions.
Order Reserved
After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the Telangana High Court concluded the hearing on the bail petition and reserved its order. The court has not yet announced the date on which its decision will be delivered.
The case remains under investigation, and the High Court's forthcoming order will determine whether Bhagirath will remain in custody or be granted bail while the proceedings continue.