POCSO case against Yediyurappa: Karnataka HC adjourns matter to September 5, interim relief extended

The court had earlier granted Yediyurappa temporary relief from arrest, enabling him to attend the court proceedings.

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Friday extended the interim order in the case registered against former chief minister BS Yediyurappa under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, until September 5.

Justice M Nagaprasanna adjourned the hearing after the special public prosecutor for the CID informed the court that an additional charge sheet had been filed recently in the case and that he needed time to place all charge sheets before the court.

During the hearing, senior advocate CV Nagesh, representing Yediyurappa, argued that certain ministers were making daily statements, "with their tongues twisted", saying that Yediyurappa is prosecuted in a Pocso Act case and that he should either surrender or face jail. "Let them (prosecution) argue. If he is destined to go to jail, he will go. The question is whether section 8 of the Pocso Act will constitute an offence or not," he said.

The prosecution case is that the former chief minister sexually harassed a 17-year-old girl when she visited his house with her mother, who is the complainant in the case. The mother died of cancer on May 26, 2024.