The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted a Bengaluru Court’s order that summoned former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to appear before it on March 15 regarding a case filed under the POCSO Act.
Previously, the lower court had instructed Yediyurappa, along with co-accused YM Aruna, Rudresha, and Marulasiddhaiah G. Mariswami, to attend court for proceedings related to this case. The next hearing is scheduled at the 1st Fast Track Court. The High Court had previously granted Yediyurappa anticipatory bail in the POCSO matter, assuring that he would not be arrested.
This ruling provides significant relief for Yediyurappa, as the High Court excused him from mandatory appearance. Further developments in the case are awaited.
On January 27, 2024, the Crime Investigation Department of Karnataka submitted a chargesheet against Yediyurappa and three others, addressing allegations of sexual assault against a minor girl. Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Naik confirmed that the chargesheet was filed under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case originated from a complaint lodged by the mother of the minor in March at the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru. The complaint alleges that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a visit to his residence in February for work-related matters. Additionally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that this situation is a “political conspiracy” orchestrated by the ruling Congress party against Yediyurappa.
