A special trial court handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has once again taken judicial notice of the sexual harassment case against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
The Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, NM Ramesh, has summoned Yediyurappa and three other accused to appear before the court on March 15. This development follows the Karnataka High Court’s recent decision to quash an earlier order, citing that it lacked proper reasoning.
The case stems from allegations made by a woman, now deceased, who claimed that Yediyurappa molested her 17-year-old daughter during a visit to his residence in 2024. She also accused him of attempting to suppress the matter by offering money. Based on her complaint, police registered an FIR under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with sexual harassment.
A trial court initially acknowledged the case in July 2024, along with charges against three others under IPC Sections 204, 214, and 37, related to the alleged destruction of evidence and attempts to shield Yediyurappa. However, the Karnataka High Court later set aside this order, citing a lack of detailed reasoning, and instructed the lower court to review the matter again.
In its fresh order, the trial court stated that it had re-examined the FIR, witness statements, charge sheet, and other materials before determining that a prima facie case existed against Yediyurappa and the co-accused. Consequently, the court has reissued summons for all four accused, with proceedings set to continue in March.