Karnataka CID Files Chargesheet Against Former CM BS Yediyurappa In POCSO case

BS Yediyurappa faces charges under Section 8 of the POCSO Act, which mandates a minimum sentence of three years extendable up to five years for sexual assault on a minor.

The Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday filed a chargesheet against former Chief Minister and senior BJP BS Yediyurappa in connection with allegations of sexually assaulting a minor, news agency ANI reported citing officials. 

Yediyurappa faces charges under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which mandates a minimum sentence of three years extendable up to five years for sexual assault on a minor. Additionally, he is charged under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 204 (destruction of evidence), and 214 (offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender) of the Indian Penal Code.

The alleged incident occurred on February 2, 2024, when the minor and her mother approached Yediyurappa seeking assistance in a previous case of alleged sexual assault involving a relative. 

A case was registered on March 14, 2024, in Bengaluru, and subsequently transferred to the CID for investigation on March 15. 

The filling of the chargesheet comes just before a scheduled bail hearing before the Karnataka High Court. During the previous hearing on June 14, the High Court had directed the CID not to take any coercive actions against Yediyurappa. 

"He is no Tom, Dick or Harry. He is not a bandicoot. He is the former Chief Minister of the State," observed Justice S Krishna Dixit during the hearing. Yediyurappa has filed for anticipatory bail in the High Court, while the minor's family has raised concerns about the pace of the CID investigation.

"The Gigh Court earlier barred coercive steps, but filing a chargesheet is not coercive," an officer familiar with the case told Indian Express. 

With the chargesheet filed, Yediyurappa is set to face trial in a special POCSO court in Bengaluru. There was initial uncertainty over whether the trial would be conducted in a POCSO court or the Special Court designated for MPs/MLAs.

"The state opted for the POCSO court due to its victim-centric approach, whereas the MP/MLA court focuses on the offender," the officer told Indian Express. 

Both Yediyurappa's anticipatory bail plea and the plea by the family of the victim are scheduled for a joint hearing on Friday before the Karnataka High Court.