Homemaker accuses Halappa of rape, Halappa resigns immediately

Homemaker accuses Halappa of rape, Halappa resigns immediately

Mangalore Today News Network

May 2: Hartal Halappa, the state food and civil supplies minister, resigned on Sunday morning, following a newspaper report that he had sexually abused a woman. Chandravathi, a resident of Shimoga, lodged a complaint with the Bangalore police that Halappa had raped her on November 26. 

Chandravathi and her husband Venkatesh Murthy met Ajay Singh, the director general of police, on Sunday evening in Bangalore and sought justice. They then visited Raj Bhavan, seeking the governor’s help. They also released copies of a CD to the media, which showed Chandravathi lying on a cot wearing a night gown and weeping. The video had been recorded with the help of a mobile phone. 

A Kannada daily carried the report in its Sunday edition. Although the report had neither named the minister nor the couple, Halappa resigned hurriedly. In a live interview, he admitted that he had stayed with the couple, but was innocent. He alleged that BJP legislator Gopalakrishna Belur, S Bangarappa, and his sons were conspiring against him because they were jealous of his political success. Bangarappa, however, has indignantly denied these allegations. 

Murthy alleged that Halappa’s goondas had threatened his family that they would be killed if they made the matter public. A sobbing Chandravathi demanded that Halappa should be arrested and punished immediately. She said that Halappa had dinner in their house and stayed overnight on Nov 26. At 3:30 a.m., he complained of ill health and requested Murthy to bring him some medicine. As soon as her husband left the house, Halappa forced himself on her. When her husband returned, he found her crying helplessly. Halappa was then beaten up and chased by the couple. Chandravathi also complained that Halappa had at first offered compensation. Later, he had begun making threatening calls. She said that she had even attempted suicide twice. 

The scandal is a severe blow to the BJP government, especially at a time when several BJP activists are contesting for the GP elections. CM Yeddyurappa protested that Halappa has been framed. The opposition Congress had demanded the immediate arrest of Halappa and a CBI probe into the matter. Although Halappa had already resigned, the opposition demanded his immediate resignation.