Karnataka's former Chief Minister and BJP leader, BS Yediyurappa, presented himself before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for an inquiry related to a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case filed against him.
The CID has obtained a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report of a video recorded on a mobile phone. This report forms the basis for questioning the senior BJP leader, particularly concerning alleged attempts to influence witnesses.
On Friday, the Karnataka High Court issued an order preventing the CID from arresting Yediyurappa in connection with the POCSO case. The court also mandated that Yediyurappa appear before the CID on June 17.
Upon his return to the state on Sunday, Yediyurappa remarked that the public would reprimand those “indulging in conspiracies” against him.
A Bengaluru court had previously issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Yediyurappa on Thursday in connection with the POCSO case, accusing him of molesting a minor girl.
The former chief minister faces charges under the POCSO Act and IPC Section 354A (sexual harassment) following a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. The complaint alleges that the elderly leader attempted to molest her daughter on February 2 of this year when they visited his residence seeking assistance in a cheating case.
Yediyurappa has denied these allegations, labelling them as "baseless," and has vowed to contest the charges legally in court.
Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, who had initiated the case against Yediyurappa, passed away last month in a private hospital due to lung cancer.
