Former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa booked over alleged sexual offence against minor

Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa

Former Karnataka chief minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa was booked late on March 14 for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. An FIR was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act by the Sadashivanagar Police in Bengaluru after a complaint was registered by the mother of the 17-year-old.

According to an FIR filed by the mother, the incident took place on February 2 when she and her daughter had gone to Yediyurappa’s house to seek help in a “cheating case related to a business”. The complainant claimed that she was “cheated of several crores” and asked the former chief minister to get a special investigation team set up to probe the case.

“I sought the formation of special investigation team to investigate into the matter, After hearing us, Yediyurappa took her (the daughter) to a room and locked inside. Little later, he opened the door and my daughter came running, saying Yediyurappa had sexually assaulted her,” the complaint read.

The 81-year-old BJP strongman has been booked under the Section 8 of the POCSO Act and the Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code.

“A few days ago, a woman came to my house. She was crying and said that there was some problem. I asked her what was the matter and I personally called the police commissioner about the matter and told him to help her,” news agency ANI reported.

“Later, the woman started talking against me. I have brought this matter to the attention of the police commissioner. Yesterday police filed a complaint against me. Let's see what happens next, I can't say that there is no political motive behind this.”

Yediyurappa was the chief minister of Karnataka between 2008 and 2011 and against between 2018 and 2021 when resigned after weeks of uncertainty. He was succeeded by the BJP’s Basavaraj Somappa Bommai, who became the 23rd chief minister of the state. Later, the party faced defeat in the state elections as the Congress clinched a major victory.

Bommai has been designated as its nominee for the Haveri constituency in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.