B. S. Yeddyurappa's lawyer, Siddharth Luthra, said, "There are some statements that the prosecution suppressed... The High Court ignored facts. The petitioner has been the Chief Minister four times."
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa gets major relief in POCSO case.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has received relief in a sexual assault case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Supreme Court has granted an interim stay on the High Court proceedings in the case. The Supreme Court was hearing Yeddyurappa's petition on Tuesday (December 2, 2025).
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard Yeddyurappa's petition challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision, which had refused to dismiss the case against Yeddyurappa. Chief Justice Surya Kant said, "Issue notice. In the meantime, the lower court proceedings will remain suspended."
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Yeddyurappa, argued that the High Court ignored crucial evidence and statements that suggested the incident did not occur. Advocate Luthra said, "There are some statements that the prosecution suppressed... The High Court ignored facts. The petitioner has served as Chief Minister four times."
CJI Surya Kant said, ‘How can you force the High Court to conduct a mini-trial?’ The FIR registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act arose from a complaint filed on March 14, 2024, by a woman (now deceased) who alleged that Yediyurappa had molested her 17-year-old daughter when she had gone to his residence seeking help.
The woman also alleged that the former Chief Minister tried to hush up the incident by offering her money. Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under various sections of the POCSO Act.
Later, on July 4, 2024, a lower court took cognisance not only against Yeddyurappa, but also against three others on charges of destruction of evidence and attempting to suppress the case. The Karnataka High Court subsequently quashed the cognisance order, calling it vague and directing the lower court to reconsider. Subsequently, on February 28, the fast-track special court issued a new cognisance order, summoning Yeddyurappa and the other accused to appear on March 15.
Yediyurappa challenged the February 28 order and the complaint in the High Court, saying the allegations were politically motivated and baseless.
However, the High Court last month refused to quash the case, following which the former Chief Minister approached the Supreme Court.
