Shockwaves in Karnataka: Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa faces a non-bailable arrest warrant under the POCSO Act

Shockwaves in Karnataka: Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa faces a non-bailable arrest warrant under the POCSO Act

A Bengaluru court has shockingly issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against B.S. Yediyurappa, the former chief minister of Karnataka. The severe Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which addresses cases involving sexual assaults against minors, is the basis for this warrant.

The mother of a 17-year-old girl filed a complaint in March of 2023 that led to the allegations. She claimed that, on February 2, 2023, Yediyurappa had sexually abused her daughter during a meeting at his Bengaluru home in Dollars Colony. Thus, Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 8 of the POCSO Act have charged Yediyurappa. Both are crimes for which there is no bail.

The Sadashivanagar police registered the case and handed it over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. After the CID summoned him for questioning, Yediyurappa requested more time.

The court's issuance of a non-bailable arrest warrant suggests that it had good reason to think Yediyurappa might have committed the claimed offence, requiring his arrest for the investigation. We issue non-bailable warrants in serious cases where bail is not a legal entitlement.

Four times, Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa denied all accusations. Declaring that the FIR was a "conspiracy" by opposition leaders to damage his reputation, his legal team approached the High Court to have it revoked. But there was prima facie evidence against him, the court concluded.

Another unsettling detail is that the complainant woman passed away on May 26, purportedly from cancer. Her family suspected foul play, as she had scheduled a meeting with a top attorney regarding the Yediyurappa case.

The 81-year-old BJP veteran is presently a member of the party's parliamentary board. The president of the state BJP is his son, B.Y. Vijayendra, is the state BJP's president.

The POCSO Act protects children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The media's attention and public interest in this well-publicized case have been tremendous. Given the gravity of the accusations, investigating agencies and the court must conduct a fair and unbiased investigation as it progresses to find the truth and guarantee justice.

Yediyurappa enjoys the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, the arrest warrant indicates that the court believed there were good reasons to prosecute him. The result will be highly significant in terms of law and politics, and it will convey a powerful message about society's dedication to safeguarding children's rights and safety.