Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, BS Yediyurappa, has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), following allegations of sexually assaulting a minor at his residence in Bengaluru.

The case was filed by the Sadashivanagar police in Bengaluru based on a complaint lodged by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. According to sources, the alleged incident occurred in February when the mother and daughter visited Yediyurappa’s residence seeking assistance in connection with a cheating case

A case has been registered under section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code. Yediyurappa, in response to the allegations, stated, “I have learnt that one female has filed a case against me. The mother and daughter duo came several times. On one of the occasions she was crying and I took both of them inside and I consoled them.”

Yediyurappa continued, “She spoke about the injustice made to them. I spoke to the cops and asked them to help her out. After that, she spoke something against me, there itself. I kind of realised that she is mentally unstable. I anyway sent them to the police commissioner.”

He added, “They have twisted this and claimed that this is a sexual assault. We will do what we can. I’m told that FIR has been registered. This is unfortunate such a thing has happened, I did not expect this at all.”

Reacting to the allegations, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated, “Last night around 10 pm, a lady registered a complaint against BS Yediyurappa. Police have registered the case.”

He further commented, “Until we know the truth, we can’t reveal anything. This is a sensitive thing as it involves a former CM. I don’t think there is any political angle to this. If the distressed woman needs protection, then it will be given.”