SC stays trial in POCSO case against Yediyurappa

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the trial proceedings against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a case filed against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO). The Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order after hearing Yediyurappa’s petition challenging the Karnataka High Court’s refusal to quash the case.

Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Yediyurappa, earlier argued that the High Court had ignored key evidence. The criminal case against Yediyurappa was registered on the allegations made by a woman that he molested her 17-year-old daughter, who had accompanied her on a visit to the senior BJP leader’s residence to seek some help. The girl’s mother, now deceased, lodged a police complaint on March 14, 2024, accusing Yediyurappa of having sexually harassed the girl. She also said in her complaint that the former Chief Minister had tried to hush up the issue by offering her money. Based on this complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on charges of sexual harassment of a minor.