Cyberbad police begin search for Bandi Bageerath in Hyderabad and Karimnagar after Court rejects pre-arrest bail plea

A day after the Telangana High Court rejected the pre-arrest bail petition of Bandi Bageerath in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against him, teams from the Cyberabad police on Saturday (May 16, 2026) carried out searches at residences linked to the accused in Hyderabad and Karimnagar as efforts intensified to trace and apprehend him.

According to Kukatpally Zone DCP Ritiraj, five police teams were conducting physical checks at Maitri Residency in Banjara Hills and at the residence of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar in Karimnagar in connection with the ongoing search operation.

Meanwhile, surveillance and technical teams continue to analyse location coordinates, digital trails and other electronic data linked to the accused’s whereabouts.

A large number of police officials along with the security personnel of the Union Minister were seen outside the residence. Police officials said that upon arrest, the accused would be subjected to mandatory medical examination procedures before being produced before a court for remand. The post-arrest formalities will be carried out at the Petbasheerabad police station.

Investigators also indicated that there were discussions around the possibility of the accused surrendering before the police, although no official confirmation had been made till Saturday afternoon.

The accused has so far failed to appear before the Petbasheerabad police despite being issued notices and later seeking two additional days after missing his first scheduled appearance on May 13.

The case was registered on May 8 at the Petbasheerabad police station under provisions of the POCSO Act following a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, who accused Bageerath of sexually assaulting and emotionally manipulating her daughter over several months.