Karnataka HC Exempts Former CM Yediyurappa from Personal Appearance in POCSO Case

Veteran BJP Leader Granted Exemption from Appearing Before Trial Court on July 15

The Karnataka High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on a petition filed by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa seeking the quashing of a POCSO case against him. The court also exempted the 81-year-old veteran BJP leader from personally appearing before a Bengaluru court in connection with the matter on July 15.

The Fast Track Court 1 for POCSO Act cases had earlier issued a summons to Yediyurappa to appear before it on July 15. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the case, had filed a chargesheet against him at the Fast Track Court on June 27.

Allegations and Charges

According to the chargesheet, the CID has alleged that Yediyurappa and three other accused paid money to the alleged victim and her mother to buy their silence. Yediyurappa has been charged under Section 8 (punishment for sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 204 (destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence), and 214 (offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The other three co-accused - Arun Y.M. , Rudresh M. , and G. Mariswamy , who are aides of Yediyurappa - have been charged under IPC Sections 204 and 214.

The case was registered on March 14 this year based on a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, who alleged that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting on February 2 at his residence in Bengaluru.

High Court's Interim Order and Exemption

A day after the CID filed the chargesheet, the High Court had extended its interim order restraining the CID from arresting Yediyurappa , allowing the prosecution to file objections to his petition seeking quashing of the FIR.

During the hearing on Friday, Senior Advocate C.V. Nagesh, appearing for Yediyurappa , submitted that the filing of the chargesheet and the Special court taking cognizance of the same were illegal. However, the court expressed that there was no urgency to hear the matter as interim protection was granted earlier.

The High Court then adjourned the hearing on Yediyurappa 's petition to July 26 and granted him exemption from personally appearing before the trial court on July 15.

Yediyurappa 's Denial and Legal Fight

Yediyurappa was questioned for over three hours by the CID on June 17. He has denied the charge and said he would fight the case legally.

The case has garnered significant attention, with the former Chief Minister's political affiliations and the serious nature of the allegations adding to the complexity of the matter. The High Court's decision to grant Yediyurappa temporary relief from personal appearance is likely to be closely watched as the legal proceedings unfold.