SC stays POCSO trial against ex-Karnataka CM Yediyurappa
SC stays POCSO trial against ex-Karnataka CM Yediyurappa
The Supreme Court halts the POCSO proceedings against BS Yediyurappa, directing CID to respond on remand to a fresh High Court review.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the trial proceedings against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to the State CID, asking for a response on why the case should not be remanded to the Karnataka High Court for fresh consideration on merits. The move comes as Yediyurappa’s lawyers contend that the High Court’s refusal to quash the case was based on vague and technical grounds, despite the former CM’s long career and age of 88.
Yediyurappa’s counsel, including senior advocates, emphasized his four-time chief ministership and asserted that there is no credible evidence backing the sexual assault allegations against him. They argued that the charges cannot be sustained on speculation or technicalities, urging the court to scrutinize the merits carefully. The defence also pointed to the political stature and public service of the leader, framing the case as one requiring meticulous due process.
The background of the case traces to a February last year meeting at Yediyurappa’s Bengaluru residence, where a woman and her 17-year-old daughter were present, according to the police allegations. The Sadashivanagar police registered the FIR in March 2024, which was later transferred to the CID. The CID re-lodged the FIR under the POCSO Act and subsequently filed a charge sheet. The Court’s order today requires the CID to respond to why the matter should not be remanded to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits, effectively freezing the current trial schedule until a decision on that question is made.
Observers say the interim stay introduces a pause in a high-profile political case, while the court weighs the balance between prosecutorial progress and the need for rigorous, credible evidence. The decision could influence how similar cases are handled when challenged on legal and technical grounds, particularly involving senior political figures in Karnataka.
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