Former Karnataka minister accused of rape

A charge sheet was filed on Wednesday against former Karnataka minister Hartalu Halappa for allegedly raping his friend’s wife at the latter’s house in November 2009.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed the charge sheet before judicial magistrate (first class) Shriniwas Gowda in Shimoga, around 280 km northwest of Bangalore.

Halappa was reportedly videotaped during the assault.

The victim had lodged a formal police complaint in early May last year in the presence of director general of police AK Singh. A case of rape, trespassing and posing a threat to life was filed against Halappa and later handed over to the CID.

The incident was reported in a local vernacular daily.

Though the report did not name Halappa, it was clear who was being referred to. The paper said a cabinet minister who was a “close confidant of Yeddyurappa” made sexual advances at the wife of a social worker, with whom he was putting up for the night.

Halappa, who represents Soraba in Shimoga district, had convened a press conference at his residence in Bangalore and described the report as “baseless”.

He hinted that his detractors in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party might have had a hand in the publication of the report. However, he refrained from naming anyone.

He called it a “political conspiracy” before the state panchayat elections, scheduled in the same month.

“I am quitting on moral grounds. I don’t want to embarrass my party, partymen and the government. Let them come out with evidence to prove the charge,” he said.

Asked for his reaction, CM Yeddyurappa said, “Prima facie, there appears to be no truth in the allegations. He (Halappa) forced me to accept his resignation.”