In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on March 14, 2025, provided interim relief to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa by staying summons that required his appearance before Bengaluru’s First Fast Track Court on March 15.

The decision, delivered by Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur, came as the court reviewed Yediyurappa’s plea to quash a charge sheet filed against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court also paused the lower court’s cognizance of the case, citing the need for a thorough investigation.

The allegations stem from an incident on February 2, 2024, when a 17-year-old girl and her mother visited Yediyurappa’s residence seeking aid for a prior sexual assault case. The charge sheet, submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 27, 2024, accuses Yediyurappa of sexually harassing the minor after locking her in a room.

It further alleges he later paid Rs 2 lakh to suppress the matter, including deleting related media from the victim’s phone and social platforms. Alongside POCSO charges, he faces accusations under IPC sections for sexual harassment, evidence tampering, and bribery.

Yediyurappa’s counsel, C.V. Nagesh, argued that witnesses present during the incident denied any wrongdoing and highlighted a month-long delay in filing the complaint. He also contended that IT-related charges in the FIR applied to the complainant, not Yediyurappa, as he hadn’t tampered with evidence.

In contrast, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty opposed relief, noting prior court orders only exempted Yediyurappa from appearances, not proceedings.

Yediyurappa, a senior BJP leader, has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, claiming he offered help out of compassion and contacted police to assist the distressed duo. With the victim’s mother deceased since May 2024, the case hinges on conflicting testimonies.