- On Friday, the Karnataka High Court issued a stay order, halting the potential arrest of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case under the POCSO Act.
- The issuance of a NBW against Yediyurappa by a special court in Bengaluru, tasked with handling cases under the stringent POCSO Act, set the stage for the legal showdown after the CID filed an application.
- The case originated from a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, alleging sexual assault by Yediyurappa on February 2, 2024, at his Bengaluru residence in Dollars Colony.
- The Special Public Prosecutor accused Yediyurappa of obstructing justice by offering Rs 2 lakh to the complainant and deleting crucial video evidence.
- Responding to the legal proceedings, Yediyurappa promptly approached the Karnataka High Court with two distinct petitions.
In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court intervened on Friday, issuing a stay order against the potential arrest of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Yediyurappa, a senior BJP leader, has been directed to appear before investigators on June 17, according to the high court’s directive.
The issuance of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Yediyurappa by a special court in Bengaluru, tasked with handling cases under the stringent POCSO Act, set the stage for the legal showdown. This move came after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed an application, asserting that Yediyurappa failed to comply with an inquiry notice served to him earlier.
The genesis of the case lies in a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, who accused Yediyurappa of sexual assault allegedly occurring on February 2, 2024, at his residence in Bengaluru’s Dollars Colony. Subsequently, the Sadashivanagar police registered a case under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354A of the IPC based on this grievance.
During the court proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Naik leveled serious allegations against Yediyurappa, claiming that he attempted to obstruct justice by offering Rs 2 lakh to the complainant and orchestrating the deletion of video evidence recorded by her. Concerns were raised about Yediyurappa’s potential influence, given his status as a former Chief Minister, and its possible impact on the integrity of the investigation and the testimony of witnesses.
Responding to the legal proceedings, Yediyurappa promptly approached the Karnataka High Court with two distinct petitions. In one, he sought the quashing of the FIR lodged against him, while in the other, he pleaded for anticipatory bail to forestall any impending arrest. Both these petitions have been scheduled for a hearing on Friday, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal saga.
Meanwhile, in a significant turn of events, the original complainant, the mother of the alleged victim, has sadly passed away subsequent to filing the initial grievance. Consequently, her son has taken up the mantle, petitioning the high court to direct the CID to apprehend Yediyurappa and subject him to rigorous interrogation. Additionally, he urged the court to expedite the collection of digital evidence, including CCTV footage and other relevant materials, and to ensure the swift filing of a charge sheet within a month.
The legal imbroglio surrounding Yediyurappa’s purported involvement in the POCSO case has deepened, with the high court’s intervention effectively halting any imminent arrest while the matter undergoes rigorous judicial scrutiny and deliberation.
(With inputs from agencies)
