Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Commission for Women has formally requested a report from the Bengaluru city police commissioner concerning the death of a woman who had accused former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa of sexually assaulting her daughter. The woman passed away under suspicious circumstances, prompting concerns from various quarters.
In an official letter dated August 27, Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary, president of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, highlighted that doubts were being raised about the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. “On May 27, the Akhila Bharata Mahila Sangathane and Nagaraj K from Shikaripur had complained to Hulimavu police about the woman’s funeral taking place without the procedure of autopsy,” the letter stated.
The 54-year-old woman died on May 26 due to lung complications at Nano Hospitals, located within the Hulimavu police station limits in southeastern Bengaluru. Police sources indicated that the woman, who had advanced cancer, had visited the hospital for breathing issues before she succumbed.
The case against Yediyurappa was registered on March 14 under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Sadashivanagar police station. The woman had accused the BJP leader of sexually abusing her minor daughter during a visit to his residence in Dollars Colony on February 2, when they sought assistance in previous cases of sexual abuse.
The investigation was subsequently handed over to the CID, which submitted a 750-page charge sheet on June 27. Yediyurappa has been charged under Section 8 of the POCSO Act (Punishment for sexual assault), along with IPC Sections 354A (Sexual harassment), 204 (Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence), and 214 (Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender). Besides Yediyurappa, three others—Arun Y M, Rudresh M, and G Mariswamy—were named as co-accused.
The Women’s Commission has urged the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and submit a detailed report, particularly in light of the suspicions raised by social workers and the complainant’s family.