A trial court in Karnataka has issued an arrest warrant against former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).
Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge NM Ramesh, of the Fast Track Special Court-I, issued the warrant today, allowing the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to arrest Yediyurappa.
Notably, a plea filed by Yediyurappa seeking to quash the case against him is pending before the Karnataka High Court, as is a petition filed by the 17-year-old victim’s brother requesting Yediyurappa’s arrest.
These petitions are scheduled to be heard by the High Court tomorrow.
Fearing arrest, Yediyurappa has also filed an anticipatory bail petition with the High Court.
Meanwhile, the CID approached the trial court for a warrant to arrest the former Chief Minister and secured it from the special court.
The case involves allegations that Yediyurappa molested a 17-year-old girl who had accompanied her mother to visit the senior BJP leader’s residence seeking assistance.
The girl’s mother filed a complaint at the Sadashivanagar police station on March 14, accusing Yediyurappa of taking the 17-year-old girl into a room by hand and sexually harassing her behind locked doors.
The complaint also stated that Yediyurappa allegedly tried to silence the issue by offering money.
The police registered a first information report (FIR) under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354(A) of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment of a minor.
The State government has appointed senior lawyer Ashok N Naik as the special public prosecutor to argue the case against Yediyurappa.
