The Crossbill Team
On Friday (February 7), former Chief Minister of Karnataka and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B.S. Yediyurappa was granted anticipatory bail by the Karnataka High Court, in a case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court’s decision was based on the observation that Yediyurappa, an octogenarian and a former chief minister, was unlikely to abscond or refuse to cooperate with the legal process.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while delivering the verdict, stated, “The petitioner, as observed herein above, is an octogenarian and has held the position of the chief minister of the state of Karnataka and there can be no apprehension that he would not cooperate with the trial on its ensuing. Therefore, notwithstanding the vehement opposition of the learned special public prosecutor to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, I find it appropriate to entertain the petition and grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner on certain conditions,” Bar and Bench reported.
Additionally, the court partly allowed Yediyurappa’s petition seeking to quash the POCSO case. However, it ruled that the investigation and final report would remain valid, and the case was remitted back to the trial court.
According to Live Law, the court stated, “Petition is allowed in part. Order of taking cognizance stands obliterated. The crime and investigation and final report remains intact. Matter remitted back to the trial court. All contentions remain open.”
The case stems from allegations made by a woman, who accused Yediyurappa of molesting her 17-year-old daughter at his residence in Bengaluru.
The complaint, filed in March 2024, also alleged that he attempted to suppress the matter by offering the family money.
Yediyurappa has denied the accusations, claiming that the complainant and her daughter had approached him regarding a separate case.
However, the prosecution argued that sufficient evidence existed against him and emphasized that the alleged offense—sexual assault of a minor—was severe, necessitating legal proceedings.
The court granted Yediyurappa bail under strict conditions, including furnishing a Rs 5 lakh bond with two solvent sureties. He has also been barred from tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or leaving the state without prior permission.
The court’s decision was based on the observation that Yediyurappa, an octogenarian and a former chief minister, was unlikely to abscond or refuse to cooperate with the legal process.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while delivering the verdict, stated, “The petitioner, as observed herein above, is an octogenarian and has held the position of the chief minister of the state of Karnataka and there can be no apprehension that he would not cooperate with the trial on its ensuing. Therefore, notwithstanding the vehement opposition of the learned special public prosecutor to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, I find it appropriate to entertain the petition and grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner on certain conditions,” Bar and Bench reported.
Additionally, the court partly allowed Yediyurappa’s petition seeking to quash the POCSO case. However, it ruled that the investigation and final report would remain valid, and the case was remitted back to the trial court.
According to Live Law, the court stated, “Petition is allowed in part. Order of taking cognizance stands obliterated. The crime and investigation and final report remains intact. Matter remitted back to the trial court. All contentions remain open.”
The case stems from allegations made by a woman, who accused Yediyurappa of molesting her 17-year-old daughter at his residence in Bengaluru.
The complaint, filed in March 2024, also alleged that he attempted to suppress the matter by offering the family money.
Yediyurappa has denied the accusations, claiming that the complainant and her daughter had approached him regarding a separate case.
However, the prosecution argued that sufficient evidence existed against him and emphasized that the alleged offense—sexual assault of a minor—was severe, necessitating legal proceedings.
The court granted Yediyurappa bail under strict conditions, including furnishing a Rs 5 lakh bond with two solvent sureties. He has also been barred from tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or leaving the state without prior permission.
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