Ex Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa Faces Charges In POSCO Case: What We Know

Veteran politician BS Yediyurappa from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing a storm of controversy after the Karnataka police confirmed receiving a sexual assault complaint against him. The complaint was filed by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, alleging that Yediyurappa assaulted her during a meeting last month. Yediyurappa, a prominent figure in Karnataka politics, having served as the state's chief minister four times and as Leader of the Opposition three times, has denied the allegations, dismissing them as a "baseless accusation."

Legal Proceedings and POCSO Case

The genesis of this controversy lies in a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl, alleging sexual assault by BS Yediyurappa during a meeting that took place last month.  According to reports, the complaint alleges that the 81-year-old BJP leader sexually assaulted the complainant's daughter on February 2. Legal action has been taken under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), reflecting the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the case.

The Karnataka police have initiated legal proceedings based on the complaint, signaling a significant escalation in the matter. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara also confirmed the filing of the complaint, refraining from divulging further details pending investigation.

Yediyurappa's Reaction to the Allegations

Addressing the allegations as reported by Hindustan Times, Yediyurappa confirmed the filing of the complaint against him, asserting that the accusations stem from a woman whom he had previously aided. He expressed his disbelief at the turn of events, stating, "I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month, they used to visit, but I didn't pay attention. But one day, when I told them that they were crying, I called them and asked what happened. They told me they had been wronged. I then called the police commissioner (B) Dayananda and asked him to hear them out and do the needful. But then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate. Now this has been twisted and made into an FIR. We will do what is legally required. I didn't think helping someone would result in this. I had even given them some money as well. But we will contest legally," expressing disbelief at the allegations made against him and asserting that his intentions were misunderstood.

In response to speculations regarding a potential political conspiracy, Yediyurappa categorically denied any such machinations. He stated, "I don't think this is a political conspiracy. A woman has lodged a complaint; we will deal with it legally."

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the person who filed the complaint against the former Karnataka Chief Minister has filed a total of 53 cases unrelated to him so far. Yediyurappa's office shared a list of these cases, suggesting that the complainant frequently files cases on various matters.

According to information obtained by India Today, the complainant has been lodging complaints against individuals causing trouble and has been doing so since 2015. In one instance in 2015, she filed a sexual assault complaint involving her daughter against a relative of her husband at the Electronic City police station in Bengaluru.

BS Yediyurappa, known for his long-standing political career in Karnataka, faces a critical moment as serious allegations threaten his legacy. His extensive experience, including four terms as Chief Minister and three as Leader of the Opposition, along with his significant role in the BJP, is now under intense scrutiny. The ongoing legal proceedings carry significant weight, not only for Yediyurappa himself but also for the future of politics in Karnataka.