POCSO Case Against Bandi Bhageerath Takes Major Turn as Police Add Serious Charges Under BNS and POCSO Act
Hyderabad police added serious BNS and POCSO charges against Bandi Bhageerath in a minor girl sexual assault case under investigation at Pet Basheerabad Police Station.
The investigation against Bandi Bhageerath in a POCSO case has taken a significant turn after police added more serious charges in the case.
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According to the latest information, police invoked Section 64(2)(M) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with allegations that the minor victim was subjected to repeated sexual assault.
Legal experts stated that if the allegations are proven in court, the accused could face a prison sentence of more than 10 years, while life imprisonment may also be awarded in certain cases.
Complaint Filed at Pet Basheerabad Police Station
According to details, on the 8th of this month, the mother of the minor victim reached Pet Basheerabad Police Station to lodge a complaint regarding alleged sexual harassment of her daughter.
A high drama reportedly unfolded at the police station during the process, following which police registered a case under Sections 74 and 75 of the BNS along with Section 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act 2012.
Later, women police officers recorded the statement of the victim girl.
Allegations of Pressure on Victim Surface During Investigation
During the course of the investigation, serious allegations also surfaced claiming that police were allegedly pressuring the victim not to disclose the actual facts.
Following these allegations, pressure reportedly mounted on the government from public and political circles.
Subsequently, on Monday, the government appointed Rathi Raj, DCP of Kukatpally Zone, as the Special Investigation Officer in the case.
DCP Rathi Raj Begins Fresh Investigation
Soon after being appointed Special Investigation Officer, DCP Rathi Raj initiated immediate action and visited Pet Basheerabad Police Station on Monday evening to collect complete details related to the case.
The officer reviewed previously recorded statements but reportedly found a lack of clear information, following which a deeper investigation was initiated.
On Tuesday, Rathi Raj personally visited the residence of the victim girl and spoke to her for a long time in a friendly environment.
According to sources, during the interaction it was observed that there was a clear contradiction between the allegations narrated by the victim and the sections previously invoked in the case.
Police Add POCSO Sections 5(1) and 6
During the investigation, it reportedly emerged that the victim’s complaint falls under Sections 5(1) and 6 of the POCSO Act because the victim alleged repeated sexual assault.
According to legal provisions, such cases are required to be registered under these sections.
Based on this, DCP Rathi Raj directed officials to add Section 5(1) read with 6 of the POCSO Act to the case.
Under these sections, if the offence is proven, the accused may face a minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.
Investigation Continues From All Angles
Police are currently investigating the sensitive and serious matter from every angle.
Officials are also collecting further evidence and recording additional statements as part of the ongoing investigation.
The POCSO case against Bandi Bhageerath has taken a major turn after Hyderabad police added stricter sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. Police invoked Section 64(2)(M) of the BNS and Sections 5(1) read with 6 of the POCSO Act following allegations of repeated sexual assault on a minor girl. The case, initially registered at Pet Basheerabad Police Station under Sections 74 and 75 of BNS and Section 11 read with 12 of the POCSO Act 2012, is now being investigated by DCP Kukatpally Zone Rathi Raj as Special Investigation Officer. The investigation is ongoing.
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