Former CM Yediyurappa summoned by CID in POCSO case

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued a notice to BJP leader and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, requiring his appearance on June 12 in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case filed against him in March. Currently in Delhi, Yediyurappa has yet to respond to the notice, The News Minute reported.

This development follows a writ petition filed in the Karnataka High Court on June 10, seeking his arrest. The petition stems from allegations that Yediyurappa assaulted a 17-year-old girl at his residence in Sanjay Nagar on February 2. The girl's mother lodged a complaint with the Sadashivanagar police on March 14, asserting that the assault occurred while they sought Yediyurappa's help regarding a previous sexual assault on her daughter.

The CID's notice to Yediyurappa was issued under Section 41(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which mandates an accused to appear before the police in cases where arrest is not immediately required. The petition filed by Advocate S Balan, representing the minor's family, highlighted the slow progress of the investigation and demanded a status report and Yediyurappa's arrest.

Despite the recording of the girl's statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, and a letter from the girl's mother to the Chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Commission on April 29 urging Yediyurappa's arrest, the case has seen little advancement. The writ petition emphasized that the investigation has not been conducted as prescribed under Section 2(h) of the CrPC, and no notice under Section 41(a) had been issued until recently.

The minor's mother passed away on May 26 at Nano Hospital in Bengaluru, shortly after being admitted for respiratory issues. Her death adds urgency to the calls for a thorough investigation and swift action in the case.