Fri Feb 07 05:42:56 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka High Court Remands Yediyurappa POCSO Case Back to Trial Court
**Bengaluru, February 7, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court today remitted the POCSO Act case against former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa back to the trial court. Yediyurappa, accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in February 2024, had challenged the complaint and subsequent charge sheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Justice M. Nagaprasanna partly allowed Yediyurappa’s petitions, setting aside the trial court’s order taking cognizance of the offense due to a lack of reasoning. However, the High Court clarified that the crime, investigation, and charge sheet remain valid and were returned to the trial court for a fresh order on cognizance. All other contentions raised by both the defense and the CID remain open for future consideration.
The High Court granted Yediyurappa anticipatory bail. While Yediyurappa denied the allegations, claiming the evidence showed no probability of the assault occurring, the CID maintained that the victim’s statement under Section 164 of the CrPC confirmed the assault, necessitating a full trial. The full judgment is yet to be released.
First Piper 