India, Nov. 19 -- A Fast Track Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday issued summons to former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and three co-accused in a case, involving allegations of sexual assault on a minor girl. The court directed all four accused to appear before it on December 2. The development comes just days after the Karnataka High Court cleared the way for the trial to proceed.

The High Court on November 13 had refused to quash the POCSO case registered against Yediyurappa and three others. However, the HC had directed that Yediyurappa's personal appearance should not be insisted upon unless necessary during the course of the trial, adding that any exemption plea filed on his behalf should be entertained unless his presence is deemed ess...