BENGALURU, Feb 28 – A special court in Bengaluru has issued summons to veteran BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and three other accused to appear before it on March 15 in connection with a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court took fresh cognizance of a charge sheet filed by the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against the 82-year-old leader after the Karnataka High Court directed a reconsideration of the case. The High Court's decision, issued on February 7, partially allowed Yediyurappa’s plea challenging the proceedings against him. It also remitted the criminal case back to the trial court while granting him anticipatory bail.
Case Background
The case was registered on March 14, 2023, following a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, alleging that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting at his residence in Dollars Colony, Bengaluru, on February 2 of that year.The CID filed a charge sheet on June 27, 2023, in a Fast Track Court, accusing Yediyurappa and three of his aides of attempting to silence the complainant and her daughter through monetary payments.
Charges Filed
The charge sheet invokes:- Section 8 of the POCSO Act (punishment for sexual assault)
- IPC Section 354A (sexual harassment)
- IPC Section 204 (destruction of evidence)
- IPC Section 214 (offering gift or restoration of property to shield an offender)
Complainant’s Death
The 54-year-old complainant, the minor's mother, passed away in May 2023 at a private hospital due to lung cancer months after lodging the complaint.With the court now summoning the accused, the case is set for a fresh hearing on March 15, marking a significant development in the legal proceedings.