Bengaluru: Former Karnataka chief minister and senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa was booked under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on Thursday for allegedly harassing a minor at his residence in Bengaluru.
As per the FIR the alleged offence took place on February 2 in Bengaluru and the FIR was filed by a police station in the city. Based on the complaint filed by the victim, the police registered a case under POCSO and 354 (A) against BS Yediyurappa.
The girl's mother alleged that 81-year-old Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting on February 2.
Responding to the complaint lodged against him at the Sadashivanagar police station, Yediyurappa said, "A woman has filed a complaint against me and a case has been registered under POCSO. I will deal with this as per the law. I will not allege of any political conspiracy."
Talking to reporters at Dollars Colony residence, he said, "I came to know that a woman has filed a complaint against me. A month and a half ago, the mother-daughter came to me crying. I asked them to come inside my house and listened to their problem. They told me that they have been treated unfairly. Later, I called the Commissioner of Police and asked him to do the needful to ensure justice is served to them," he said.
Yediyurappa said he had sent the woman and her daughter to the police commissioner's office. "After that, they started saying things against me. I will deal this case legally. This is an example of what happens when you take the path of benevolence. I gave them money because they were in difficulty. However, this has taken a different turn. Let's face everything," he said.
According to Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar, "A case under the POCSO Act has been registered against the former CM on a complaint filed by a woman and investigation is underway."
Speaking at his Sadashivanagar residence, Parameshwar said, "A woman filed a complaint against BS Yeddyurappa at around 10 pm on Thursday. The police have registered a case in this regard. Nothing can be said until the investigation is completed. Some say that the woman has a mental illness and so registered the complaint. Police informed me that the complaint was not handwritten. This is a very sensitive issue. Nothing can be revealed now," he said.
Responding to the issue of the woman's protection, he said, "If necessary, the police will provide protection to her. If someone causes trouble for the complainant, the police will naturally provide protection."
"Investigation is on. No arrest has been made now. If the truth is confirmed in the investigations, action will be taken accordingly," he said.
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