Petbasheerabad police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Bandi Bhageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, following a complaint by a 17-year-old girl who alleged that he sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad on December 31.

Police said the complainant, a Class 10 dropout, alleged that the incident took place during a visit to the farmhouse and that a case was registered after her family approached the police.

The development comes a day after Mr. Bhageerath lodged a separate complaint with the II Town police station in Karimnagar, alleging that he was being blackmailed by the girl’s family, who he claimed demanded ₹5 crore from him.

In his complaint, Mr. Bhageerath alleged that he had met the girl through common friends and that the two had been in regular contact. He stated that the girl had invited him to family functions, parties and social gatherings, and that they had also visited temples together.

According to the complaint filed in Karimnagar, Mr. Bhageerath alleged that the girl’s family later pressured him to marry her and, upon his refusal, demanded ₹5 crore. Based on his complaint, II Town police in Karimnagar registered a case and initiated an inquiry.

However, the girl’s family subsequently approached the Petbasheerabad police in Hyderabad and filed a counter-complaint, alleging that the girl was a minor and accusing Mr. Bhageerath of sexually assaulting her.

Following verification of her age, police booked a case under relevant POCSO provisions.

Officials said both complaints were being investigated separately and that all allegations, including the claims of blackmail and the sexual assault accusation, would be examined as part of the probe. Further investigation is underway.