Overview
- The High Court refused to quash the prosecution and affirmed the special court’s February 28 order taking cognizance and issuing summons.
- It told the trial court not to insist on B.S. Yediyurappa’s personal presence unless essential and to consider exemption requests.
- The court clarified that the trial must be decided solely on evidence presented at trial without being influenced by prior High Court observations.
- The case stems from a complaint alleging a February 2, 2024 assault at Yediyurappa’s Bengaluru residence; an FIR was registered on March 14, later re-registered by the CID, which filed a chargesheet.
- Earlier, the High Court set aside an initial cognizance order on February 7 and later stayed a second order before today’s ruling, as defense and prosecution disputed whether the special court applied its mind.