‘Tainted’ Karnataka minister appears before Shimoga Police

SHIMOGA - Former Karnataka Food Minister H Halappa appeared for questioning before the Superintendent of Police of Shimoga on Sunday.

Halappa is facing rape and other charges.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had earlier given Halappa time till May 10 to appear before it as it wanted to question Halappa for rape case against him.

Meanwhile, the Shimoga court is to hear Halappa’s anticipatory bail plea on May 11.

Police have slapped charges of rape, wrongful confinement and intimidation against Halappa, who has denied them.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa had on May 3 announced a CID probe after Halappa, who is from the Chief Minister’s home district of Shimoga, resigned on May 2 following a Kannada media report on the alleged incident that took place in November 2009.

Chandravati, the alleged rape victim, filed the complaint. She, her husband Venkatesh Murthy and a lawyer called on State Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh at his residence and filed a report against the minister.

She filed a complaint under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Meanwhile, Murthy also released a CD to media, which contains visuals of Halappa in his house.

Yeddyurappa and Halappa have accused the opposition of trying to malign the BJP’s image in the state through this case. (ANI)