Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 14: In a significant relief for former chief minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Committee member B S Yediyurappa, the Karnataka high court has stayed the summons requiring his personal appearance before the first fast track court on March 15 in connection with a POCSO case.
The interim order was passed by a bench led by Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur while considering Yediyurappa’s petition to quash the charge sheet filed against him. The court observed that further investigation was required in the case and, consequently, halted both the summons and the court's cognizance of the matter.
Senior counsel C V Nagesh, representing Yediyurappa, argued that the high court had earlier provided interim relief in the case. He contended that the IT section mentioned in the FIR was not applicable to Yediyurappa, as he had not deleted any conversations from the mobile phone of the victim’s mother. Nagesh further highlighted that the charge sheet was based on the statements of the victim and her mother, whereas eyewitnesses at the scene had denied the occurrence of any such incident. He also pointed out that the complaint had been lodged with the police commissioner a month after the alleged incident.
The case revolves around allegations of inappropriate conduct on February 2, 2024. While the high court had previously exempted Yediyurappa from personal appearances, it had not issued an interim stay on the case proceedings.
Opposing the plea, advocate general Shashikiran Shetty urged the court not to grant any relief to Yediyurappa, stating that the previous high court order only exempted him from appearing in court and did not halt the legal proceedings.
On February 28, the first fast track court in Bengaluru had issued a summons to Yediyurappa, requiring his presence on March 15. The summons was issued after reviewing the charge sheet submitted by the police. While Yediyurappa had earlier secured immunity from appearing in court, the high court on February 7 declined to quash the charges against him. However, he was granted anticipatory bail, protecting him from arrest.
The case, investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led to a charge sheet being filed on June 27, 2024, before a special fast-track court. According to the charge sheet, Yediyurappa and three others were charged under the POCSO Act and various sections of the IPC, including 354(A) (sexual harassment), 204 (destruction of documents or electronic records), and 214 (offering bribes to conceal an offence).
As per the allegations, the complainant and her 17-year-old daughter had approached Yediyurappa on February 2, 2024, seeking help after the minor was sexually assaulted. It is claimed that Yediyurappa took the girl into a room, locked it, and sexually harassed her. The victim resisted and left the room, after which Yediyurappa allegedly refused to provide assistance.
The charge sheet further claims that when the victim posted photos and videos related to the incident on social media, Yediyurappa’s intermediaries summoned them to his residence, gave them Rs 2 lac in cash, and ensured the media files were deleted.
The victim’s mother later passed away on May 26, 2024, due to health complications in Bengaluru.
Denying the allegations, Yediyurappa stated, “A distressed mother and daughter were near my residence. Out of compassion, I called them to understand their situation. I even contacted the Bengaluru police commissioner to assist them. However, they later accused me of misconduct. Despite this, I provided them with financial assistance. I will fight these allegations in court.”