HC Interim Relief To Yediyurappa In POCSO case

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to former Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Committee member B.S. Yediyurappa in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case by staying the summons requiring his personal appearance before the First Fast Track Court on March 15.

The bench headed by Pradeep Singh Yerur passed the order on Friday while considering Yediyurappa’s petition to quash the charge sheet filed against him. The court observed that a comprehensive investigation was needed in the case and, accordingly, stayed both the summons and the court’s cognizance of the matter.

Senior counsel C.V. Nagesh, appearing for Yediyurappa, argued that the High Court had previously granted interim relief in the case. He further stated that the IT section in the FIR would apply to the complainant rather than Yediyurappa, as he had not deleted the conversation from the mobile phone belonging to the victim’s mother.

The charge sheet was filed based on the statements of the victim girl and her mother. However, witnesses present at the scene have stated that no such incident took place. Counsel Nagesh also pointed out that the complaint was lodged with the Police Commissioner one month after the alleged incident.

The case involves an allegation of inappropriate touching on February 2, 2024. While the High Court had previously granted concessions for Yediyurappa regarding his appearance before the court, it had not granted an interim stay on the case.