Former Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa booked under POCSO for ‘sexual assault’ of minor

The complainant alleged Yeddiyurappa, 81, spoke for a few minutes before taking her daughter to a room and closing the door. The former CM and the teenager were in the room for five minutes, during which she was sexually harassed, the mother alleged in the complaint, adding that when they came out of the room, Yeddiyurappa claimed that he was checking if the girl had been raped. He also apologised and told her not to make the matter public, the complainant alleged.

Denying the allegations, Yeddiyurappa said, “Around one or one and a half months ago, they came to my house seeking help… After listening to her, I called the city police commissioner over the phone in an effort to address her problem. Later, they spoke against me and I then suspected there was some health problem with her. I sent them to the city police commissioner’s office. I even gave her some money as they were in trouble. I came to know that an FIR has been registered and I will look into it. But this is what I have faced for helping someone.”

A case was registered under the POCSO Act and section 354(a) (unwelcome and explicit sexual behaviour) of the Indian Penal Code.

On Friday, the case was handed over to the Karnataka Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameswhara said the girl would be given security if required. “Yesterday night (Thursday), around 10 pm, the woman approached Sadashivanagar police and filed a complaint. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. I do not want to speak about it now. It is a sensitive case as the allegations are against a former chief minister,” he said, adding that there would be no political vendetta in the case.