SHIVAMOGGA: Former BJP minister Hartal Halappa has been acquitted in a seven-year-old rape case. The Second Additional D istrict a nd S essions C ourt on Thursday acquitted Halappa due to lack of substantial evidence. Pronouncing the one-line verdict, Justice B G Rama asked Halappa to submit a surety of Rs 25, 000 .
Halappa, food and civil supplies minister in the B S Yeddyurappa cabinet, had been accused of raping the wife of his friend Venkatesh Murthy at Kalahalli in Shivamogga in November 2009. The incident came to light after six months on May 2, 2010 and a case was filed. Later, Halappa, a three-time MLA from Sorab, was arrested . On Thursday, Halappa said truth had finally prevailed.
Satyameva Jayathe, says Halappa after acquittal
Hartal Halappa said that truth had prevailed with his acquittal. The former minister who had been accused of rape claimed that the charges were a political conspiracy.
“Sathyameva Jayathe...., it was a political conspiracy against me. Finally, the truth prevailed,” Halappa said.
He made the remarks while talking to mediapersons outside the court premises here on Thursday. “It was a long battle. I kept my faith in the court and waited with patience.”
Halappa said that he had been repeatedly reciting a poem that his teacher taught him in primary school, adding that it gave him solace.
“Even the court expressed doubt when I applied for bail in the high court. It was a false allegation and a fabricated incident that pushed me to move to the court. I had faith in the court. At last, I got the victory,” Halappa said.
“Most of the people did not believe these charges. Even the people of the state were not convinced.Most of the advocates across the country opined that it was a fit case to contest,” he said.Halappa declined to comment about his political career, saying the party leaders would take a call.