Former Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa has got relief in the sexual harassment case registered under the POCSO Act. The Supreme Court has put an interim stay on the proceedings of the High Court in this case. On Tuesday (December 2, 2025), the Supreme Court was hearing Yediyurappa’s petition.
Yediyurappa’s petition came up before the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, in which he had challenged the decision of the Karnataka High Court. The High Court had refused to quash the case against Yediyurappa. Chief Justice Surya Kant said, ‘Notice should be issued. Meanwhile, the lower court proceedings will remain adjourned.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Yediyurappa, said that the High Court ignored important evidence and did not pay attention to the statements which indicated that nothing of the sort happened during the incident. Advocate Luthra said, ‘There are some statements which were suppressed by the prosecution… the High Court ignored the facts. The petitioner has been the Chief Minister four times.
CJI Surya Kant said, ‘How can you force the High Court for a mini trial?’ The FIR, lodged under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, stems from a complaint lodged on March 14, 2024, in which a woman (now deceased) had alleged that Yediyurappa had molested her 17-year-old daughter when she had gone to his residence to seek help.
The woman had also alleged that the former Chief Minister tried to suppress the incident by offering money. Based on his complaint, the police registered an FIR under various sections of the POCSO Act.
Later on July 4, 2024, a lower court took cognizance of charges not only against Yediyurappa but also against three others for destroying evidence and attempting to suppress the case. After this, the Karnataka High Court canceled this cognizance order calling it vague and directed the lower court to reconsider. Subsequently, on February 28, the fast track special court issued a fresh cognizance order and summoned Yediyurappa and other accused to appear on March 15.
Yediyurappa challenged the February 28 order and complaint in the High Court, saying the allegations were politically motivated and disproportionate.
However, the High Court refused to quash the case last month, following which the former Chief Minister approached the Supreme Court.