New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered an interim stay on the criminal trial involving former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in a case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued the directive while taking up Yediyurappa’s plea seeking the quashing of the case initiated against him in March this year.
Yediyurappa, a senior political figure and former state head of government, approached the apex court after the Karnataka High Court refused to terminate the criminal proceedings. The High Court’s earlier decision had allowed the investigation and trial to move forward. With the latest order, however, those proceedings will remain halted until the Supreme Court completes its review.
The complaint at the centre of the case was lodged on 14 March 2024. According to the allegations recorded in the First Information Report (FIR), the former Chief Minister is accused of molesting a 17-year-old girl who had visited his Bengaluru residence. The minor was reportedly accompanied by her mother at the time of the alleged incident.
The victim’s mother, who filed the complaint, later passed away. Before her death, she had also claimed that an offer of money was made in an attempt to suppress the matter. The allegations prompted police to book charges that include offences under the POCSO Act, which provides stringent protections for minors against sexual offences.
In addition to Yediyurappa, three other individuals have been named in the case. The FIR accuses them of the destruction of evidence in connection with the alleged crime. These charges remain under scrutiny as the investigation continues.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench issued notice on Yediyurappa’s petition, signalling that it intends to examine the legal issues raised. The court also indicated that it may consider sending the matter back to the Karnataka High Court for a fresh look. The grounds on which the High Court previously declined to quash the case are expected to be reviewed closely as part of the Supreme Court’s deliberations.
For now, the trial and any further action related to the case have been put on hold. The interim protection granted to Yediyurappa means that lower court proceedings cannot continue until further orders are passed. The stay does not amount to a dismissal of the charges but temporarily freezes the judicial process.
The allegations against the former Chief Minister have drawn significant attention due to his political stature and the involvement of a minor. The legal process ahead remains critical, as courts are tasked with ensuring both the preservation of the rights of the accused and the protection of the complainant’s claims.
With the passing of the complainant’s mother, the prosecution may need to rely on testimonial and documentary evidence already recorded. The FIR’s references to alleged attempts to interfere with the case will also be part of investigations that remain under judicial oversight.
The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the importance of procedural fairness in sensitive criminal cases. As the matter returns for further hearings, the bench’s next steps are expected to shape the future course of the trial and any potential reconsideration by the Karnataka High Court.
The proceedings will resume only after the apex court completes its assessment of Yediyurappa’s challenge. Until then, the case remains paused, and all eyes stay on the judicial path ahead for one of Karnataka’s most prominent political leaders.
