The Supreme Court has stayed the trial in the case registered against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa under the POCSO Act. The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant has issued a notice to the Karnataka government. Yediyurappa had challenged the November 13 order of the Karnataka High Court, in which it had refused to quash the case.
Yediyurappa is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at his residence. During the hearing, Yediyurappa’s lawyer Siddharth Luthra said that there are some statements which are suppressed by the prosecution. The High Court has ignored the fact that the people present there are saying that nothing like this happened. He has been Chief Minister four times.
SC raised questions on High Court order
CJI said how can you force the High Court for a mini trial? The CJI said in his order that in paragraph 14 of the disputed decision, the Coordinate Bench has misinterpreted the previous decision. Hearing cannot be conducted on the basis of that petition. Issue notice. Meanwhile, the proceedings of the case will remain adjourned. We have only issued a notice to send the case back to the High Court. The court stopped the trial by giving an interim order and sought a response from the state on the possibility of the High Court reconsidering the case.
Allegation of molestation of 17 year old girl
Yediyurappa was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at his residence in Bengaluru in February last year. The victim’s mother, who is no more, had lodged a complaint that while seeking help, Yediyurappa first tried to molest her and then her daughter. After this, the police had registered an FIR against Yediyurappa on 14 March 2024 under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354A, 204, 214 of the IPC. The case was handed over to CID, which filed a charge sheet. On July 4, 2024, the trial court took cognizance against four people, including Yediyurappa, on charges of destroying evidence.
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