The Cyberabad Police, which is probing the case of alleged sexual assault on a minor girl by Bandi Sai Bhagirath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, on Sunday announced to change the First Information Report (FIR) and add additional sections that could lead to life imprisonment for the accused.
During the investigation, the statements of the victim and other witnesses were examined by the investigating officer, Cyberabad Police Commissioner M Ramesh said in a statement.
Based on the statement of the victim, the section of the Act was amended and Section 64(2)(m) (case relating to repeated sexual assault of a minor girl) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) was added, along with Section 5(1) read with Section 6 (Offence of aggravated sexual assault of a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Assault Act.
“Deputy Commissioner of Kukatpally Retiraj Police has been directed to supervise the investigation. The investigating officer also obtained the victim’s statement recorded under Section 183 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) by the magistrate,” the commissioner said.
Based on the girl’s complaint, a case was registered against Bhageerath at Pet Basheerabad police station of Cyberabad Commissionerate on May 8, he said. The Special Operations Team (SOT) of Cyberabad arrested the accused near Manchirevula under Narsingi police station limits at 8.15 pm on May 16.
Read also:Union Minister Bandi Sai Bhagirat’s son arrested in Buxo case
Ramesh said: “After completing the medical examination, the accused Bhagirath was produced before the judge who ordered him to be judicially detained for 14 days.”
Another police officer who preferred to remain anonymous said that Section 64 (2) (m) of the BNS is a stringent provision that applies in cases involving repeated rape of the same woman. “If these allegations are proven in court, the accused could face a prison sentence of no less than 10 years, and up to life imprisonment,” the officer said.
The police confiscated Bhagirath’s phone the same night and sent it to the forensic science laboratory for a detailed examination, the officer said. “session [special investigation team] The officer said officials are closely examining the conversations, messages, videos and photos allegedly exchanged between Bhagirat and the victim.
Investigators are also analyzing CCTV footage collected from locations linked to the incident. Officers believe the forensic report could reveal more crucial evidence in the case.
Meanwhile, special investigation authorities are also probing the alleged involvement of Bhagirat’s friends. In the victim’s complaint, her mother alleged that some of Bhagirat’s associates were present during the incident and she later tried to suppress the matter and broker a settlement to prevent it from going public.
The above-mentioned official said that Bhagirat is currently in Cherlapalli prison as a remand prisoner and the police are expected to file a petition in the court seeking his detention for further questioning.
