BRS Questions BJP Over Silence in Bandi Bhageerath POCSO Case

In Hyderabad, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) General Secretary RS Praveen Kumar sought an explanation from BJP State president N Ramchander Rao over his party's alleged failure to condemn the POCSO case involving Bandi Bhageerath.

Praveen Kumar's remarks came in response to Ramchander Rao's criticism accusing the BRS of maintaining silence over the controversy involving MIM MLC Mirza Rahmath Baig. The BRS leader urged the BJP State president not to make reckless statements and questioned why Ramchander Rao did not participate in statewide protests when a minor girl was allegedly raped by the son of a BJP Union Minister, or demand the Union Minister's resignation.

Praveen Kumar noted that in the controversy involving MIM MLC Mirza Rahmath Baig, the alleged victim had not lodged a police complaint. He pointed out that MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi directed the MLC to resign and suspended him from the party upon learning of the incident. Praveen Kumar added that if Owaisi possessed any videos or information related to the alleged victim, he should take her to the local police or the Director General of Police so that an investigation could proceed. He also noted that Rahmath Baig had filed a complaint alleging that deepfake videos were created to spread false propaganda against him.

In contrast, Praveen Kumar said a formal complaint had been lodged by the victim in the Bandi Bhageerath case despite facing threats, mental harassment, and honey-trap accusations. He alleged that when Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy attempted to dilute the case by registering it under minor sections, the BRS fought on behalf of the victim until the charges were upgraded to serious provisions and the accused was sent to jail.

Praveen Kumar questioned why Ramchander Rao did not address Bandi Sanjay at the BJP office and why women leaders in the BJP had not spoken out on the matter. He alleged that the BJP had a history of supporting accused individuals in cases involving crimes against women, citing the Bilkis Bano and Unnao cases, and demanded the suspension of Bandi Sanjay and Sangappa.