Criminal defamation case against Karnataka minister for calling BJP leader ‘rapist’

Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree has been asked to appear before a Shivamogga court in a criminal defamation case for calling former BJP minister Haratal Halappa a ‘rapist’.

According to a Suvarna News 24x7 report, the Shivamogga JMFC court has asked Umashree to appear before the court on July 20.

Umashree had reportedly called Halappa a rapist in a programme in Tumakuru, following which the latter filed a defamation case against her.

Halappa was accused of raping the wife of his friend on November 29, 2009. The case came to light when Kannada daily Vijaya Karnataka broke the news that Halappa had allegedly raped his friend’s wife when he stayed at their house in November.

The victim filed a complaint with the Vinoba Nagar police station in Shivamogga on May 3, 2010, and Halappa was arrested on May 9 that year. Nearly two months later, the Karnataka High Court granted Halappa bail.

Following his arrest, Halappa was forced to resign from the BS Yeddyurappa cabinet as food and civil supplies minister.

In March 2011, the CID filed a chargesheet against Halappa. Present details of the case are not known.