BJP leader BS Yediyurappa gets relief from arrest till next hearing

BENGALURU: Former CM and BJP leader B S Yediyurappa earned a huge relief from the Karnataka High Court in an alleged sexual assault case involving a minor girl. After hearing the arguments of both parties, the high court ordered that no coercive action should be taken until the next date of hearing hearing and added that Yediyurappa should not be be arrested.

The high court also directed Yediyurappa to present himself for inquiry before the Criminal Investigatin Department (CID) on June 17. Yediyurappa had earlier responded to the CID notice asking him to appear on June 12 stating that he will be travelling and would appear on June 17.

On Thursday, a fast-track court, which was hearing a CID plea, issued a non-bailable warrant against the former CM of Karnataka, directing his immediate arrest under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl.

Yediyurappa has applied for anticipatory bail at the special court, seeking prevention from arrest. The court notice him to attend the hearing on June 17. Taking to its official X handle, BJP Karnataka unit had posted, “Shocked by the humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leaders are engrossed in hatching one conspiracy after another against the BJP”.

The post further added, “Congress, resentful towards the BJP, is now attempting to arrest our respected leader, BS Yediyurappa, based on a complaint from a mentally unstable woman. This comes after Rahul Gandhi faced court proceedings for spreading misinformation against the BJP in Karnataka”.

The mother of the victim had filed a complaint against the former Chief Minister at the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru in March, alleging that Yediyurappa had sexually assaulted her daughter. In this regard, the brother of the victim filed a petition with the court.