Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa has reportedly been booked by the Bengaluru under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), for sexually assaulting a minor, a charge rubbished by the ex-CM.
The 81-year-old leader has been booked by the Bengaluru police based on a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old alleging sexual assault during a meeting on February 2, a reports said.
The case has been registered under Section 8 (sexual assault) of POCSO and Section 354 A (assaults or uses criminal force to any woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the report said.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on February 2 when the minor - a victim of sexual assault - and her mother went to former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa’s residence seeking help.
The mother has alleged that the BJP leader sexually assaulted the minor in a room, the report said.
What Yediyurappa Said On Allegations
Breaking silence on charges of sexual assault against him, former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa said on Friday that a few days ago a woman came to his house, adding that she was crying saying that there was some problem.
"I asked her what was the matter and I personally called the police commissioner about the matter and told him to help her. Later, the woman started talking against me," Yidyurappa said.
"I have brought this matter to the attention of the police commissioner. Yesterday police filed a complaint against me. Let's see what happens next, I can't say that there is a political motive behind this," he added.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara reacted to the reports and said: "Last night around 10pm, a lady registered a complaint against BS Yediyurappa. Police have registered the case. Until we know the truth, we can't reveal anything."
He said it is a "sensitive thing as it involves a former chief minister", adding that he does not think there is any political angle to it. "If the distressed woman needs protection, then it will be given," he said.
Purported Videos Surface
Police sources cited in a news agency PTI report said the girl's mother had, in the past, lodged over 50 complaints against various people including the then Bengaluru Police Commissioner Alok Kumar, and his staff, for allegedly manhandling her and abusing her.
She lodged a complaint against Kumar twice -- once on January 29, 2021, and then on September 21, 2022, and also against the retired Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP leader Bhaskar Rao for allegedly "conspiring to ruin her life," on January 18, 2022.
Two purported videos have also emerged, apparently filmed by the girl when she went to meet Yediyurappa at his residence with her mother, the PTI report mentioned. In one video, the girl's mother is seen addressing Yediyurappa as 'Appa Ji' and tells him that she hails from Shivamogga, the home district of the BJP leader.
She allegedly tells him that she has huge wealth running into several crores of rupees, which is caught in litigation and seeks his help.
In the second video, the girl's mother is seen sitting next to Yediyurappa soon after entering his house and holding his hand. Reacting to it, Yediyurappa said the woman had been trying to meet him but was never allowed to enter his house.
