CID arrests Karnataka minister Hallappa for alleged rape

Shimoga (Karnataka), May 9 (ANI): Former Karnataka minister Hallappa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday evening for allegedly raping his friend's wife.

He was arrested following interrogation.

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.

Hallappa appeared for questioning before the Superintendent of Police of Shimoga on Sunday morning.

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

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

On May 3, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had 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)