The Karnataka High Court on Thursday refused to quash a case against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa pertaining to the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl, Live Law reported.
Justice MI Arun upheld a February order of a special court in Bengaluru that had taken cognisance of a chargesheet in the case and directed the Bharatiya Janata Party leader to appear before it.
The case against Yediyurappa was registered on March 14, 2024, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly assaulting a minor girl, who is a rape survivor in a separate case from 2015. He also faces charges of sexual harassment under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code.
The 82-year-old leader is accused of having assaulted the girl on February 2, 2024, when she and her mother met him to seek help in the 2015 rape case.
On Thursday, the High Court directed the special court not to insist on Yediyurappa’s appearance during the trial unless “his presence is essential”, Live Law reported.
It also clarified that he is free to seek discharge before the trial court.
On February 7, the High Court granted Yediyurappa protection from arrest and sent the matter back to the trial court, noting that the special court had erred in taking cognisance of the chargesheet. It had then directed the court to...
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