Bengaluru: HC upholds cognizance order against Yediyurappa in POCSO case
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has upheld the trial court’s decision to take cognizance and issue summons in the sexual assault case filed against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The ruling comes as a major setback for Yediyurappa, as he will now have to face trial in the case involving allegations of sexual assault on a minor girl.
Justice M. I. Arun of the single-judge bench delivered the verdict on Thursday after completing the hearing on petitions filed by Yediyurappa and co-accused M. Arun, M. Rudresh, and G. Mariswamy. They had challenged the trial court’s order which had recently taken cognizance of the case.
The High Court upheld the trial court’s order to proceed with the case and to issue summons to the accused. However, it clarified that Yediyurappa should not be compelled to appear in court unnecessarily during the proceedings. If his presence is not required, the trial court should consider and allow any request for exemption from personal appearance, the order stated.
The High Court further observed that the trial court must independently evaluate the evidence before it, without being influenced by any observations made in its order. It also said the petitioners are free to file any applications before the trial court, including for discharge from the case. The detailed judgment copy is yet to be made available.
The case dates back to March 2024, when a complaint was filed against Yediyurappa at the Sadashivanagar Police Station. He was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at his residence in Bengaluru’s Dollars Colony. The complaint was filed by the victim’s mother.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
