New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, stayed the trial against former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa in a Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case against him.
The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the politician against the November 13 Karnataka High Court order, refusing to quash the case against him.
In March 2024, a woman (now deceased) had registered a complaint, alleging that Yediyurappa had inappropriately touched her 17-year-old daughter during a meeting at his residence. She had apparently gone there to seek assistance. The FIR was registered by Bengaluru police on March 14, 2024.
“Issue notice. Meanwhile, trial proceedings shall remain stayed,” CJI Kant observed, saying that the notice was being issued primarily to consider remanding the matter back to the High Court.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Yediyurappa, said the High Court had “ignored key evidence” and failed to consider statements suggesting that “nothing as such happened” during the alleged incident.
“There are certain statements which prosecution suppresses… the High Court ignored facts. He has been chief minister four times,” Luthra said.
“How can you compel the High Court to hold a mini trial,” the CJI asked in response.
The complainant in this case had alleged that the former chief minister attempted to hush up the incident by offering money. On July 4, 2024, a trial court took cognisance of offences not only against Yediyurappa but also three others for alleged destruction of evidence and attempts to suppress the case.
The Karnataka High Court subsequently quashed this cognisance order as “cryptic” and directed the trial court to reconsider.
Following this, the Fast-Track Special Court, on February 28, issued a fresh cognisance order and summoned Yediyurappa and other accused for appearance on March 15.
Yediyurappa challenged the February 28 order and the complaint itself before the High Court, saying the allegations were politically motivated and inconsistent. The High Court, however, declined to quash the case last month, prompting him to move the Apex Court.
