Ex-Karnataka CM Yediyurappa appears before CID for POCSO case probe, with protection of 'no arrest'

BENGALURU: Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Karnataka Police on Monday morning for investigations in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act case registered against him in March this year.

The case was registered on behalf of a minor who along with her cancer-ailing mother had allegedly approached the ex-CM in February for help with another sexual assault case.

Yediyurappa has consistently denied the allegations of sexual assault, stating that the case is politically motivated. He has moved the High Court for quashing of the case and for anticipatory bail.

He has also said that he was only trying to help the mother-daughter duo.

Karnataka BJP President and Yediyurappa's son B Y Vijayendra said that his father will face the investigations and has faith in the process of law.

Although he was originally summoned at 10.30 am on June 12, he sought time till June 17 citing political engagements in New Delhi.

The prosecution argued before the High Court that Yediyurappa had flown out the same day, despite receiving the notice to appear before the police.

Although the CID obtained an arrest warrant against Yediyurappa on grounds such as tampering of evidence and non-cooperation with investigation, but the arrest was restrained by the Karnataka High Court on Yediyurappa's petition.

However, the High Court directed Yediyurappa to appear for the investigations.

Having heard the learned counsel for the parties for some time and having perused the Petition papers, I am of the considered opinion that at this stage, no case is made out for halting the ongoing investigation in Crime No.84/2024 and that the petitioner should participate in the same by appearing before the jurisdictional Police on 17.06.2024 as was assured by him, said Justice Krishna S Dixit on June 14.

That being said, the petitioner, who is a former chief minister of the state multiple times and who is now an octogenarian, shall not be arrested when he appears before police and cooperates in the investigation process, Justice Dixit said.

The case will be heard next on June 28.

The mother of the minor, since deceased due to lung cancer, accused the former CM of sexual assault under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for sexual harassment.

The case was registered on March 14 and transferred to CID on March 15.

Arguing against any relief to Yediyurappa against the arrest warrant, the CID through Karnataka Advocate General argued that it was only issued after submissions were made regarding Yediyurappa and three other accused attempting to tamper with evidence, and lure witnesses.

Yediyurappa on the other hand argued that there was over a months delay in its filing.

CID said that it has gathered evidence on the occurrence of the incident, taken statements of the victim under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and data from a mobile device with recordings about the incident.

Previously, Yediyurappa's voice samples were collected for comparison with voices on a video recorded by complainant mother on the day of the alleged incident.