GUWAHATI: An FIR has been lodged against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl, as per media reports.
The case has been reportedly registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) and section 354 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru on Thursday night.
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The alleged incident occurred on February 2, 2024, when a 17-year-old girl, accompanied by her mother, visited Yediyurappa seeking help in another rape case, media reports stated.
After the incident, the mother reportedly lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the 81-year-old with the police on Thursday evening, leading to the registration of the POCSO case past midnight.
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The FIR alleges that the victim met the BJP leader for assistance in a case related to another alleged sexual assault. It claims that Yediyurappa allegedly sexually assaulted the victim after forcibly taking her into a room. Upon escaping from the room, the victim reported the incident to her mother, reports stated.
As per existing laws, the punishment for penetrative sexual assault involves imprisonment of not less than 10 years, extending to life imprisonment. In cases involving children below 16 years of age, the punishment may extend to imprisonment for life.