Former Karnataka Chief Minister and prominent BJP leader, BS Yediyurappa, has been charged with sexual assault under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, and 354 (A) IPC against him, reports ANI.
The FIR states that the victim was sexually harassed when seeking assistance on February 2, related to another alleged sexual assault case. The reportedly Senior BJP leader sexually assaulted the victim after dragging her into a room. When the victim ran out of the room, she complained to her mother about the assault, ANI says.
As per reports in the PTI, Police sources said the girl's mother had, in the past, lodged over 50 complaints against various people including the then Bengaluru Police Commissioner Alok Kumar, and his staff, for allegedly manhandling her and abusing her.
She lodged a complaint against Kumar twice -- once on January 29, 2021, and then on September 21, 2022, and also against the retired Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP leader Bhaskar Rao for allegedly "conspiring to ruin her life," on January 18, 2022.
Yediyurappa held the position of Chief Minister of Karnataka in various stints, spanning from 2008 to 2011, briefly in May 2018, and subsequently from July 2019 until 2021.
Two purported videos have also emerged, apparently filmed by the girl when she went to meet Yediyurappa at his residence with her mother.
In one video, the girl's mother is seen addressing Yediyurappa as 'Appa Ji' and tells him that she hails from Shivamogga, the home district of the BJP leader.
She allegedly tells him that she has huge wealth running into several crores of rupees, which is caught in litigation and sought his help.
In the second video, the girl's mother is seen sitting next to Yediyurappa soon after entering his house and holding his hand.
"After meeting the Police Commissioner, she gave a twist to the matter, Yediyurappa alleged. I will do whatever has to be done legally but this also happens when one tries to help somebody," the BJP Parliamentary Board member said.
(With Inputs from PTI)
