BSY POCSO case: 'Should have thought before getting involved,' says High Court

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court, on Monday, orally observed that senior leaders in high positions must set an example with their conduct. It said former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa should have been more cautious before getting embroiled in a POCSO case.

Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur was hearing Yediyurappa’s interim petition seeking relaxation of the conditions imposed during the grant of bail in the POCSO case registered against him.

Senior advocate C.V. Nagesh, appearing for Yediyurappa, said the former CM frequently needs to travel across the state and country due to his responsibilities as a member of the BJP’s Central Parliamentary Committee. Therefore, he urged the court to ease the bail conditions to allow him to travel outside the jurisdiction of the trial court, including to Delhi.

Responding orally, the judge remarked that Yediyurappa, being a senior political figure, ought to have been aware of the implications before becoming involved in such a serious matter. Those in high positions should set an example with their behaviour, the court added.

Appearing for the state, Special Public Prosecutor Prof. Ravivarma Kumar requested the court not to relax the conditions. He said all relevant aspects would be placed before the court for consideration.

The court has deferred further hearings until after the summer vacation.