Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa denied allegations of sexually assaulting a minor, urging the High Court to quash the POCSO Act case against him. The accusation involved molestation during a home visit, complicated further by the complainant’s recent death. The court reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both sides, signaling potential legal implications.
Karnataka: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa on Friday strongly denied allegations of sexually assaulting a minor girl last year. He urged the Karnataka High Court to quash the case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case stems from a complaint lodged on March 14, 2024, by the mother of the 17-year-old girl, accusing Yediyurappa of molesting her daughter during a visit to the senior leader’s residence. The complaint alleged that the former Chief Minister had also tried to hush up the incident by offering money.
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The police registered an FIR under Section 8 of the POCSO Act (sexual assault of a minor) and Section 354(A) of the IPC (sexual harassment). However, in May 2024, the complainant passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru, complicating the case further.
Representing Yediyurappa, Senior Advocate CV Nagesh argued that the allegations were baseless. Addressing the prosecution’s claim of a mobile recording, Nagesh explained that Yediyurappa admitted to “checking” the victim but clarified that this did not involve physical contact.
“He was checking on the details of a previous case in which the victim had been sexually assaulted by another person, and for which the girl and her mother had approached him for help,”
Nagesh told the High Court.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who is presiding over the case, expressed concern over the recording.
“That mobile recording on checking, where when questioned (by the victim’s mother) he says he was only checking… it is disturbing,”
the Court remarked.
Senior Counsel Professor Ravi Varma Kumar, appearing for the Karnataka CID, asserted that the prosecution has adequate evidence against Yediyurappa. He also stated that the trial court and the investigating officer had acted lawfully while taking cognizance of the case.
The High Court, after hearing the arguments, reserved its decision on Yediyurappa’s petition seeking to quash the POCSO case. “The Court will consider all submissions,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.
The case highlights serious allegations against a high-profile political leader. Yediyurappa, a senior BJP figure, has denied all charges and maintained his innocence. The outcome of this case is likely to have significant political and legal ramifications in Karnataka.
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