Supreme Court stays POCSO trial against former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) froze the trial proceedings against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in a case booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

Besides staying the trial proceedings, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued notice to the State CID to respond to why the case against Mr. Yediyurappa ought not to be remanded to the State High Court for a fresh consideration on merits.

Mr. Yediyurappa, represented by senior advocates Siddharth Luthra and Siddharth Dave, submitted that the High Court had refused to quash the case against their client on November 13 merely on a vague and technical ground that it cannot look into the merits of the matter.

Mr. Luthra submitted that Mr. Yediyurappa was a four-time Chief Minister and an 88-year-old man. He submitted that none have backed the allegation of sexual assault against Mr. Yediyurappa.

The victim’s mother had claimed that the BJP leader had sexually assaulted her and then her 17-year-old daughter during a meeting in February last year at his residence in Bengaluru.

On March 14, 2024, the Sadashivanagar police had registered the case, which was transferred to the CID. The CID had re-lodged the FIR under POCSO and filed a charge sheet.