POCSO case: Rama Rao says fair probe impossible unless Bandi Sanjay removed from cabinet
Hyderabad (PTI): BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Sunday called for the immediate removal of Bandi Sanjay Kumar from the union cabinet following the arrest of his son, Bageerath, in a POCSO case, arguing that the minister’s continuation in office could hinder a fair and impartial investigation.
A day after the Telangana High Court refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Bageerath, he was arrested on Saturday night in connection with the case registered against him.
He was later remanded to judicial custody by a magistrate.
Addressing a party event in LB Nagar, Rama Rao stated that PM Narendra Modi frequently speaks about “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (save the daughter, educate the daughter), but justice cannot be achieved if such slogans remain mere political rhetoric.
“Perhaps for the first time in the country, a situation has arisen where a lookout notice has been issued against the son of a union minister. If he (Bandi Sanjay) is not dismissed from the union cabinet, the investigation will not proceed properly,” he claimed.
The BRS leader questioned how the accused allegedly remained hidden for nine days and asked who had protected him during that period.
Rama Rao asserted that an impartial investigation would be impossible while Bandi Sanjay Kumar continues in office, and demanded that the central government immediately remove him from the union cabinet.
He said that individuals accused of “misusing power and influence in such sensitive matters” continuing to hold constitutional positions is not only an insult to Telangana, but also to the entire country.
He also alleged that while the union minister’s son wronged a minor girl, the victim’s parents were subjected to intimidation and pressure by the minister himself.
Rama Rao further alleged that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy attempted to “dilute the seriousness” of the case.
Calling for immediate action, he reiterated that the union minister should be removed from office and that the investigation must be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.
He added that BRS women leaders had protested across the state and praised the efforts of the party’s women’s wing, women leaders, activists, student organisations, and social media activists for pursuing justice in the case.
The case was registered on May 8 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against Bageerath, based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl.
She alleged that he had been in a relationship with her daughter and had sexually harassed her.
After recording the victim’s statement, police invoked more stringent sections of the POCSO Act in the case.
Bageerath also filed a counter-complaint, alleging that the girl, who had become acquainted with him, had invited him to family functions and group gatherings.
An FIR was subsequently registered based on his complaint.
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Commission agent's licence suspended in Meerut for storing veggies in toilet
Meerut (UP) (PTI): The market administration in Meerut has suspended the licence of a commission agent or ‘arhtiya’ for storing vegetables inside a defunct toilet at the Mawana Naveen Sabzi Mandi in the city, officials said on Sunday.
The action followed after a video went viral showing vegetables, including tomato, ladyfinger, green chilli, coriander, mint and bottle gourd – packed in polythene bags inside an unused toilet on the market premises.
The secretary of the Mandi committee, Arjun Singh, told PTI that the toilet had been out of use for a long time due to being clogged.
“Abhay Kumar, the proprietor of Pradhan Trading Company, stored leftover vegetables there without permission. Within two hours of receiving information on May 15, a team from the Mandi committee reached the spot, seized about one quintal of vegetables, and buried them in a pit,” Singh said.
A notice was issued to Abhay Kumar, but since no satisfactory response was received, his licence has been suspended, he added.
According to officials, toilets in the market complex meant for use by farmers, commission agents and customers were allegedly being used as storerooms.
Following the incident, SDM Santosh Kumar Singh has sought an explanation from the Mandi committee secretary.
Strict action would be taken against those found guilty after an inquiry report is received, the SDM said.
