However, the court allowed him to seek exemption from personal appearance during proceedings where his presence is not mandatory
As per the case, Yediyurappa molested a 17-year-old girl, who visited his residence with her mother seeking help, and later gave the duo ₹2 lakh to delete photos and videos from social media
BENGALURU
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday refused to cancel the summons issued to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court directed him to appear before the Fast Track Court once the charge sheet is officially taken on record.
Justice MI Arun, heading a single-judge bench, dismissed Yediyurappa’s plea to quash the summons, the FIR, and the charge sheet. However, the court allowed him to seek exemption from personal appearance during proceedings where his presence is not mandatory.
The Fast Track Court had earlier issued summons to Yediyurappa and three others on February 28, 2025. His counsel, CV Nagesh, argued that there was no proper application of mind by the trial court and cited inconsistencies in the complaint timeline, pointing out that the alleged incidents from February 2024 were reported only in March 2024, amid political unrest.
Opposing this, Senior Public Prosecutor Prof Ravivarma Kumar maintained that the trial court had rightly taken cognisance after examining the evidence.
The charge sheet accuses Yediyurappa and three others under POCSO and IPC Sections 354(A) (sexual harassment), 204 (destruction of evidence), and 214 (offering a bribe). It alleges that Yediyurappa molested a 17-year-old girl who had visited his residence with her mother seeking help, and later gave them ₹2 lakh to delete photos and videos from social media.
Yediyurappa denied all charges, calling the case politically motivated and vowed to face the legal process.
