The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to BJP leader and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.  

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who had previously provided interim protection from arrest to Yediyurappa last year, issued the order.

The case was registered by a woman alleged that Yediyurappa molested her 17-year-old daughter who had accompanied her on a visit to the senior BJP leader's residence to seek some help.

The girl's mother, who is now deceased, had filed a police complaint on March 14, 2024, accusing Yediyurappa of sexually harassing her daughter. In the complaint, she also stated that the former Chief Minister attempted to cover up the incident by offering her money.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), accusing Yediyurappa of sexually harassing a minor.

Last month, the High Court reserved its decision on Yediyurappa's petition seeking the quashing of the case.

During the hearing, Yediyurappa denied the sexual assault allegations, asserting that the victim and her mother had approached him regarding a previous case.

“He was checking on the details of a previous case in which the victim had been sexually assaulted by another person and for which she and her mother had previously approached him (Yediyurappa) for help,” his counsel told the Court.