Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa Accused of Sexual Assault on Minor
Bengaluru, 15th March 2024: An FIR has been lodged against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. The case, filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) and IPC section 354 (A), was registered at Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru on Thursday night.
The incident reportedly occurred on February 2, 2024, when the 17-year-old victim, accompanied by her mother, sought Yediyurappa’s assistance regarding another rape case. Allegedly, the victim’s mother lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the 81-year-old with the police on Thursday evening, leading to the registration of the POCSO case past midnight.
According to the FIR, the victim met Yediyurappa to seek help in a separate sexual assault case. It alleges that Yediyurappa dragged her into a room and sexually assaulted her. The victim, upon fleeing the room, confided in her mother about the ordeal.
In her complaint, the mother stated that Yediyurappa prevented them from disclosing the incident initially, but she ultimately decided to file a complaint and seek legal action against him.
Yediyurappa has responded to the accusations, stating that he called the police commissioner after the woman approached him with her grievances and that he was taken aback by the subsequent filing of a complaint against him. He expressed uncertainty regarding any political motives behind the allegations.
As per current laws, penetrative sexual assault carries a minimum imprisonment term of 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment. For victims below 16 years of age, the punishment can range from not less than 20 years to life imprisonment.
