The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order staying the summons issued by a Bengaluru trial court to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and three others in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Background of the Case
The case originated from a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, alleging that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting in February 2024 at his residence in Bengaluru. The Sadashivanagar police registered the case on March 14, 2024, which was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. The CID re-registered the First Information Report (FIR) and subsequently filed a chargesheet.
Proceedings in the Special Court
The Special Court for POCSO cases initially took cognizance of the chargesheet on July 4, 2024, and issued summons for Yediyurappa and the other accused to appear for trial.
However, this cognizance order was quashed by the High Court, which directed the Special Court to reassess the matter. On February 28, 2025, the Special Court passed a fresh order taking cognizance and issued summons directing the accused to appear before the court on March 15, 2025.
High Court's Intervention
Challenging the fresh cognizance order, Yediyurappa filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court. Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur, presiding over the matter, granted an interim stay on the trial court's order of cognizance and the subsequent summons. Senior Advocate C.V. Nagesh represented Yediyurappa, while Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty appeared for the State.
Current Status
With the High Court's interim stay, the trial court's summons requiring Yediyurappa and the other accused to appear on March 15, 2025, has been temporarily halted. The High Court's decision effectively pauses the proceedings at the trial court level until further orders are issued.
This development adds to the legal challenges faced by Yediyurappa, who has previously been implicated in various legal issues, including allegations of land de-notification and corruption during his tenure as Chief Minister.
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