T'gana HC grants conditional bail to Union minister's son in Pocso case
Hyderabad, July 10 -- The Telangana high court on Thursday granted conditional regular bail to Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
A high court bench headed by justice K Sujana directed Bhagirath to execute a personal bond of Rs.1 lakh, along with two sureties, and comply with several conditions, including cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and refraining from influencing witnesses or interfering with the probe.
Bhagirath (25), was arrested by the Pet Basheerabad police on May 16 after he was booked on May 8 for sexually harassing a 17-year-old girl, with whom he allegedly was in a relationship.
Following the recording of the girl's statement, police invoked additional provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Pocso Act. After the high court declined to grant him interim protection from arrest, Bhagirath was taken into custody. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Cherlapally Central Prison as an undertrial prisoner.
On June 20, the high court granted Bhagirath interim bail to enable him to appear for his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) supplementary examinations. The prosecution argued that granting bail at this stage could enable the accused to influence witnesses and adversely affect the investigation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, justice K Sujana on July 6 reserved the matter for orders. On Thursday, she granted conditional bail to Bhagirath....
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