POCSO Case: K’taka Government Pushes to Vacate Stay on Yediyurappa’s Arrest

Bengaluru: The state government has directed the advocate-general to seek the vacation of a High Court stay in a POCSO case involving BJP veteran B S Yediyurappa, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced on Saturday.

“We have instructed the AG and our legal team to get the stay vacated. Once that is done, we will proceed according to the law. Yediyurappa can pursue his legal defense in the future, and we will also pursue our legal course,” Parameshwara told reporters.

The Karnataka High Court had previously issued an interim order preventing the CID from arresting Yediyurappa, who faces allegations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The CID filed a charge sheet against him on June 27.

Regarding the possibility of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granting sanction for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s prosecution related to a site allotment scam in Mysuru, Parameshwara stated that the government is awaiting the next steps from Raj Bhavan.

On July 26, Governor Gehlot issued a show-cause notice to Siddaramaiah based on a petition seeking prosecution sanction. The Cabinet, on August 1, urged the Governor to withdraw this notice.

Parameshwara highlighted that several cases requiring prosecution sanction are pending at Raj Bhavan. “In Siddaramaiah’s case, the Governor has acted with unusual speed. As the Constitutional head, he must clarify his intentions. There appears to be a conspiracy at play… it seems Raj Bhavan and the Governor are being misused,” he remarked.

Confident that Governor Gehlot will ultimately not allow Siddaramaiah’s prosecution, Parameshwara added, “If sanction is granted, we will challenge it legally.”