BENGALURU, 7 FEB

The Karnataka High Court has granted anticipatory bail to former Chief Minister and veteran BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, while remitting the criminal case against him back to the trial court. This decision follows Yediyurappa's petition challenging the charges brought under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The 81-year-old politician sought the quashing of a case filed against him after a complaint was lodged on 14 March last year. The allegation involved the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl during a meeting at his residence in Dollars Colony on 2 February.

Justice Nagaprasanna, in his ruling, stated, "The writ petition is allowed in part. The order of taking cognisance by the concerned court dated 04-07-2024, concerning accused number 1 (Yediyurappa), stands obliterated." However, he clarified that the crime, investigation, and final report remain intact, and the matter has been remitted to the concerned court for further proceedings.

The judge noted that none of the arguments presented by the legal representatives for both parties had been addressed, apart from the cognisance order. Yediyurappa may pursue further legal remedies at an appropriate stage.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is investigating the case, has alleged in a charge sheet filed on 27 June last year that Yediyurappa and three aides—Arun YM, Rudresh M, and G Mariswamy—paid money to the victim and her mother to secure their silence. Yediyurappa faces charges under Section 8 of the POCSO Act, and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those pertaining to sexual harassment and destruction of evidence.

The victim's mother, who had initially raised the allegations, passed away in May last year due to lung cancer.