Hyderabad, May 20 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has again claimed that he handed over his son to the police in a POCSO case.

He told media persons here on Wednesday that immediately after receiving the information, he handed over his son to the police to cooperate in the investigation.

“Have you ever seen a father handing over his own son to the police?” asked Bandi Sanjay.

The claim by the MoS is contrary to the statement by Cyberabad Police that they arrested Bandi Bhageerath in Narsingi on the night of May 16. Later, he was produced before a magistrate, who sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

For the first time since his son’s arrest, Bandi Sanjay came to the state BJP office. Party workers and his supporters welcomed him.

When reporters asked the MoS about the demands by other parties for his dismissal, he said that BRS had no MP in the Lok Sabha. “KCR’s party has not a single MP in the Lok Sabha. Sitting in his farmhouse, he speaks something,” he remarked.

The BJP leader said that KCR’s corrupt empire collapsed at its roots. “We ended his family rule. That’s why he runs false propaganda against me. KTR runs a fake social media factory,” he said.

Bandi Sanjay also dismissed as baseless reports that he is planning to launch a new political party.

“Everyone in the BJP is a disciplined worker. If you ask the last wish of a party worker working with commitment, he will tell you that after his death, his body be draped in the BJP flag. Party workers know what kind of person I am,” he said.

Telangana High Court on May 15 had refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Bhageerath.

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 the allegation that he sexually assaulted the minor girl.

A case was booked under Section 11 r/w 12 of the POCSO Act and sections 74 and 75 of the BNS.

After investigating, the 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 protection, he was arrested by the police.

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

–IANS

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