Sai Bhageerath skips POCSO probe; police flag discrepancies in victim’s birth certificates
HYDERABAD: Police investigating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case against Sai Bhageerath, said the accused did not appear for questioning despite being served notices.
Investigators had asked Sai Bhageerath to attend an inquiry at Pet Basheerabad police station on Wednesday. Police said notices were issued directing him to appear before the investigating officers.
During the investigation, police found discrepancies in the birth records of the victim, according to sources associated with the probe.
Investigators said two birth certificates linked to the girl were submitted before authorities. One certificate, issued by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), recorded her date of birth as August 12, 2008. Another certificate, reportedly issued by the medical and health department, mentioned the date of birth as August 12, 2010.
Police officials said the victim had earlier been booked in a rash driving case in Nirmal district in 2021. According to the chargesheet filed in that case, the girl’s parents had stated before the court that she was 15 years old at the time.
Investigating officers are expected to place the earlier chargesheet before the Telangana High Court on Thursday as part of the evidence concerning the victim’s age.
Sai Bhageerath has approached the High Court seeking interim bail. In his petition, he argued that the victim was not a minor at the time of the alleged incident.
Police said further investigation is underway.
