Telangana Basketball Official Booked Under POCSO for Harassing Minor Player

A senior office-bearer of the Telangana Basketball Association has been accused of sexually harassing a 16-year-old player during basketball tournaments over approximately two years. Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint submitted by the teenager’s mother.

The accused has been identified as Prudhveeshwar, also known as Prithvishwar Reddy, the general secretary of the Telangana Basketball Association. According to the complaint, he allegedly made sexually coloured remarks about the minor, used caste-related derogatory language and made obscene gestures while she was participating in sporting events. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

The complainant alleged that the first incident occurred on February 18, 2024, during a basketball tournament for private institutions at the Zilla Parishad School Ground in Utnoor. Another alleged incident took place on December 21, 2025, during a tournament at the DBA Academy in Madhapur, where inappropriate comments were reportedly made about the player’s body.

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A further incident was reported during a tournament on June 7, when the official allegedly questioned the teenager’s participation, demanded documents and humiliated her. Her mother also accused him of repeatedly directing abusive and casteist remarks at the minor during several tournaments, indicating what she described as a sustained pattern of inappropriate conduct.

A zero First Information Report was initially registered on June 24, allowing the complaint to be recorded regardless of the police station’s territorial jurisdiction. The case was subsequently transferred to the appropriate station and re-registered on July 24. It includes charges under the POCSO Act and Section 75(1)(iv) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning sexually coloured remarks.

Madhapur police said the accused had been served a notice and that his statement was recorded in accordance with legal procedures. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, verify the sequence of events and examine the allegations made in the complaint. Officials said further action would be determined by the findings of the investigation.

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