Karnataka High Court Stays Arrest Of Yediyurappa In POCSO Case (image: facebook.com/BSYBJP/)

Karnataka High Court directed Police not to arrest BJP veteran and former Chief Minister and BS Yediyurappa in connection with the case registered under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO )Act and Section 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The Bengaluru Special Court on Thursday issued non-bailable arrest warrant against Yediyurappa. Soon after the move, ex-Chief Minister has approached the Karnataka High Court by filing two separate petitions; one, seeking quashing the FIR registered against him under the legal provisions; second, grant him anticipatory bail, to prevent arrest in the case. Hearing the bail plea on Friday, Justice S Krishna Dixit questioned the necessity to arrest Yediyurappa.

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The 81-year-old Yediyurappa has strongly denied the charges and asserted that he would fight the case legally. At present, Yediyurappa is in Delhi where is continuing his tasks as BJP parliamentary board member.

As the State argued that the BJP veteran had evaded investigating agency’s notice issued on July 17 by flying to Delhi calling prior party commitments, the Court responded that Yediyurappa is a former Karnataka Chief Minister, and was unlikely to flee the country. The Court also added that Yediyurappa has replied to the June 11 notice and informed that he would appear before the agency on June 17.

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“He is not some Tom, Dick or Harry. He is a former Chief Minister of State. Is it your case he will flee the country? What can he do by leaving to Delhi from Bangalore,” Bar and Bench quotes, as the Court is saying.

However, the court stressed that former Chief Minister has to appear before the jurisdictional police for investigation on June 17.