Telangana HC Seeks State Reply On Bageerath Bail Plea
Notice issued to complainant; accused remains in judicial remand in POCSO case
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government and police to place their response on a bail petition filed by Sai Bageerath, who is facing prosecution under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The matter was adjourned to Friday after the Sstate sought time to submit investigation records.
Justice Sujana Kalasikam, hearing the criminal petition, granted two days’ time on the request of the public prosecutor, who submitted that instructions and relevant material from the investigating agency were required to respond to the plea.
The petitioner is in judicial custody after surrendering before Cherlapally prison authorities on June 25 upon completion of a week-long interim bail.
Bageerath is being prosecuted in a case registered at Petbasheerabad Police Station, Cyberabad, for offences relating to aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor under the BNS and the Pocso Act. He was arrested and remanded to judicial custody by the Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Medchal, on May 16, 2026.
He had earlier secured one week’s bail from the trial court to appear for Bachelor of Business Administration supplementary examinations conducted by Mahindra University from June 22 to June 24. After completing the examinations, he surrendered on June 25 in compliance with bail conditions. His judicial remand has been extended till July 25.
In the petition, the defence alleged that the case was filed with “malicious intent” to persecute and defame him and claimed innocence. “That there is an inordinate delay of almost five months in filing the complaint by the victim's mother, to which no clear explanation is given in the complaint. That the inordinate delay is a sufficient reason for suspicion on the complaint”, the petitioner submitted.
HC pulls up police over retired officer’s detention
Taking a serious view of the alleged forcible detention and mistreatment of a 70 year old retired police officer, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the sub inspector of Madhura Nagar police station, against whom harassment allegations were levelled, to remain present in court until the lunch recess.
Justice T. Madhavi Devi issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by retired SI Mohammed Osman, who alleged that police personnel dragged him out of his residence while he was dressed only in a lungi and banian, and took him to the police station.
Referring to photographs placed before the court, the judge observed that they appeared to substantiate the allegations. “It is clearly evident from the photographs. Just because law is in your hands, you do as you wish. I’m a police officer, I will do whatever I want. Is it so?” she asked the Madhura Nagar SI, who appeared following earlier directions.
Counsel for the petitioner Md. Ghouse Shaikh Imam submitted that on May 11, 2026, between 9.30 and 10.30 am, SI Bhanu Chander Goud and two constables barged into Osman’s house in connection with an FIR against his son. Though Osman was not linked to the case, police searched his house without a warrant, forcibly dragged him outside, assaulted him, abused him and humiliated him in front of neighbours despite his age and retired service.
Government counsel for home Mahesh Raje informed the court that a complaint was already pending before the Hyderabad Police Commissioner and sought permission for the Commissioner to conduct an inquiry.
The court questioned whether Osman had been informed of the grounds for being taken to the station. Justice Madhavi Devi observed that irrespective of allegations against his son, police were bound to inform Osman of the reasons for detention and could not justify the manner of treatment.
She also asked why police had not disclosed the case against Osman’s son during the earlier hearing and cautioned that the Commissioner may have to be summoned to explain officers’ conduct. The judge said the incident amounted to violation of constitutional rights and Supreme Court guidelines.
On Raje’s request, the court directed the Police Commissioner to inquire into Osman’s complaint and submit a report. The matter was adjourned for two weeks.
HC raps misuse of undertakings for power supply
The Telangana High Court came down heavily on householders and building owners who secured electricity connections through undertakings to furnish No Objection or Occupancy Certificates (NOCs/OCs), but failed to comply. Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka also faulted electricity authorities for complacency, noting they neither ensured compliance nor apprised the court of continued defaults.
While hearing a plea seeking release of power supply without insisting on municipal Occupancy Certificates, the judge observed that in several conditional orders permitting supply, no record was placed to show whether consumers later furnished the mandatory certificates. The authorities too had not reported non compliance.
Calling the conduct of both petitioners and officials “nothing short of playing fraud on this Court,” Justice Bheemapaka sought detailed data from TGTRANSCO on connections released on undertakings, cases where NOCs were furnished, those still pending, and action taken against defaulters.
The chairman and managing director of TG Transco was directed to submit a report by July 15, 2026, covering the number of such cases, compliance status and measures taken. Referring to the Supreme Court ruling in Rajendra Kumar Barjatya v. U.P. Awas Evam Vikas Parishad, the judge reiterated that essential civic services like electricity, water and sewerage should ordinarily be provided only after production of valid completion or occupancy certificates.
