BS Yediyurappa’s big relief: SC stays POCSO trial of ex-Karnataka CM
The top court also issued notice to the Karnataka government and sought response to the senior leader’s plea on the limited issue of re-ordering whether Yediyurappa was entitled to liberty to be heard by the Supreme Court on merits.
The court said, “The coordination board has misinterpreted the previous decision dated so-and-so while holding that the petition cannot be heard on merits in light of the decision in the previous round. Therefore, we are issuing notice for a limited purpose with the aim of re-deciding in the light of the freedom granted to the petitioner with the broad decision date of February 7, 2025.”
The case is based on a complaint filed in March 2024 by a woman who alleged that Yediyurappa inappropriately touched her underage daughter during a meeting at his home. The FIR was registered by the Bengaluru police on March 14, 2024.
Article 35 of the POCSO act mandates that proceedings be concluded within one year from receipt of information. However, Yediyurappa’s lawyer argued that this period would start only after the charges are framed and in this case the certification is postponed.
