SC halts trial of former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa in POCSO case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed trial proceedings against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a sexual harassment case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case involves allegations of sexual assault on a minor and attempts to suppress the complaint.

The matter has been pending since March 2024, when a woman who later passed away filed a complaint alleging that Yediyurappa molested her 17-year-old daughter during a visit to his residence to seek assistance. She further claimed he attempted to hush up the incident by offering money. The FIR triggered a politically sensitive investigation, drawing attention because of the former CM’s stature and the involvement of a minor, bringing the stringent provisions of the POCSO Act into play.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the interim order while hearing Yediyurappa’s plea challenging the Karnataka High Court’s refusal to quash the case. “Issue notice. Meanwhile, trial proceedings shall remain stayed,” CJI Kant said, noting that the notice was primarily to consider remanding the matter back to the high court.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Yediyurappa, argued that the high court had ignored key evidence, including statements indicating that “nothing as such happened” during the alleged incident. He said some statements favourable to Yediyurappa had been suppressed by the prosecution and reiterated that the complaint carried political overtones. The bench questioned whether the high court could hold a “mini trial” at the quashing stage, underscoring procedural limits.

Following the FIR, a trial court initially took cognisance of offences against Yediyurappa and three others for alleged evidence destruction and suppression. The Karnataka High Court, however, quashed that cognisance order as “cryptic” and directed the trial court to reconsider. A Fast-Track Special Court then issued a fresh cognisance order on February 28, 2025, summoning Yediyurappa and the other accused.

Yediyurappa challenged both the February 28 order and the complaint itself before the high court, citing inconsistencies and political motivation. After the high court declined to quash the case last month, he approached the Supreme Court, which has now stayed the trial pending further hearing.

The long-running case highlights the intersection of judicial procedure, political influence, and child protection laws, reflecting the challenge of balancing speedy justice for minors with procedural safeguards for the accused in high-profile matters.