Karnataka High Court Stays Arrest Of BS Yediyurappa In POCSO Case

In a partial relief to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Karnataka High Court on Friday issued a stay order against his arrest in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO). The high court mandated that Yediyurappa appear before investigators on June 17, reported the Hindustan Times.

The coercive proceedings of arrest and detention are on hold till the next hearing date. Earlier, a fast-track court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Yediyurappa, directing his immediate arrest.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had mentioned that a non-bailable warrant was issued against the former chief minister. Police are set to interrogate the BJP leader in the POCSO case.

The BJP has alleged a conspiracy by the Congress to divert attention from a corruption case involving Minister B Nagendra. "Shocked by the humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leaders are engrossed in hatching one conspiracy after another against the BJP," BJP Karnataka posted on its X handle.

The post further added, "Congress, resentful towards the BJP, is now attempting to arrest our respected leader BS Yediyurappa, based on a complaint from a mentally unstable woman. This comes after Rahul Gandhi faced court proceedings for spreading misinformation against the BJP in Karnataka."

Yediyurappa, currently in the national capital, has applied for anticipatory bail at a special court, seeking protection from arrest. He has been booked under the POCSO Act and Section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The complaint was filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl who alleged that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting on February 2 this year. The incident reportedly occurred at his residence in Bengaluru's Dollars Colony.