Former Karnataka CM And BJP Leader BS Yediyurappa Accused In Harassment Of Minor; Calls Claims ‘Baseless’

BS Yediyurappa, a former chief minister of Karnataka and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for alleged harassment of a minor sexually. The senior BJP leader was charged by the police in Bengaluru’s Sadashivanagar district after the mother of the 17-year-old girl filed a complaint.

The girl has reportedly claimed, according to police sources, that she was assaulted on February 2 when she went to see the 81-year-old leader with her mother to get help with a cheating case. The girl was called into a room by the BJP leader, who then allegedly sexually assaulted her, according to the FIR.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Yediyurappa questioned why the complaint was filed only a few weeks before the Lok Sabha election. “I helped the complainant financially. The timing is questionable since the FIR comes just ahead of the polls,” he said.

According to the former Chief Minister, the girl approached him for assistance with a few instances of infidelity. But he said she didn’t speak to him clearly, which made him think she might not be mentally well.

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The mother and daughter have allegedly filed more than 50 complaints in the past, according to Mr. Yediyurappa’s office, which has dismissed the claims as unfounded. 53 distinct complaints had previously been filed, according to a list released by Mr. Yediyurappa’s office.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “A lady gave a complaint to the Sadashivanagar police station against BS Yediyurappa, our former Chief Minister, saying that her daughter was molested. So the police registered the case and an investigation is on. Until and unless we know the truth, we cannot reveal anything. This is a very sensitive matter because it involves a former Chief Minister. Let’s see what the report says”.

The minister ruled out any political angle in the case and said, “I don’t think there’s a political angle to this. We don’t know the lady. She went to the police and complained. The police didn’t refuse her and registered the case.”Karnataka’s chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, held office from 2008 to 2011. Once again, he served as chief minister for three days in May 2018 and July 2019–July 2021