In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court has delivered a major setback to senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa by dismissing his petition seeking to quash the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered against him.
Court Refuses to Interfere with Investigation
The single-judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit pronounced the verdict, allowing the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to continue its probe into the serious allegations. The court firmly stated that it would not interfere with the ongoing investigation at this crucial stage.
"The court is not inclined to entertain the petition," Justice Dixit declared, dealing a blow to the former Karnataka chief minister's attempts to have the case dismissed prematurely.
Background of the Controversial Case
The case stems from allegations made by the mother of a 17-year-old girl who accused Yediyurappa of sexually assaulting her daughter during a meeting at his residence in Dollars Colony on February 2 this year. What makes this case particularly serious is that the complaint was filed under the stringent POCSO Act, which deals specifically with sexual crimes against minors.
The Bengaluru police had initially registered the case in March, but it was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a more thorough investigation.
Legal Arguments and Counterarguments
Yediyurappa's legal team, led by senior advocate C.V. Nagesh, presented multiple arguments seeking the case's dismissal. They contended that the complaint was "absolutely false, frivolous, and concocted" and filed with "ulterior motives."
However, the prosecution maintained that there was substantial material and evidence supporting the allegations, warranting a proper investigation. They argued that the matter required deeper examination rather than being quashed at the preliminary stage.
Political Ramifications and Public Interest
This legal decision comes at a sensitive time for both Yediyurappa and the BJP in Karnataka. The high-profile nature of the case and the seriousness of the allegations under POCSO have drawn significant public and media attention.
The court's refusal to intervene at this juncture underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that serious allegations, especially those involving minors, receive proper legal scrutiny regardless of the accused's political stature or influence.
As the SIT continues its investigation, all eyes remain on how this politically sensitive case will unfold and what impact it might have on Karnataka's political landscape in the coming months.
