Hyderabad, May 21 (AHN) The Telangana High Court has permitted Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Bhageerath, to file a regular bail petition in a POCSO case.

The court on Thursday allowed Bhageerath’s counsel to withdraw the anticipatory bail petition as the police had arrested Bhageerath on May 16.

The High Court on May 15 had refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Bhageerath in the case but had reserved orders on the anticipatory bail petition.

The court was scheduled to pronounce orders on Thursday but, on the request of Bhageerath’s counsel Karuna Sagar, permitted him to withdraw the petition.

The accused’s counsel also sought permission to file a regular bail petition.

The court granted permission for the same.

A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Bhageerath at Pet Basheerabad Police Station on May 8 following allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor girl.

The case was booked under Section 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

After the investigating officer spoke to the victim, police invoked harsher provisions of the POCSO Act.

Section 5(1) read with 6 was added to the FIR.

Bhageerath was served a notice by the police directing him to appear before the investigating officer on May 13.

He did not appear but sent a letter to the investigating officer seeking two days’ time to appear.

After the High Court refused to grant him interim protection, he was arrested by the police on the night of May 16.

However, Bandi Sanjay claimed that his son surrendered before the police.

He said two lawyers accompanied Bhageerath when he surrendered before the police.

Police stated that he admitted to having committed the offence of sexually assaulting a minor girl, after which he was arrested.

Bhageerath was produced before a magistrate the same night and was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

He is currently lodged in Cherlapally jail.