Halappa moves court for anticipatory bail

Halappa's counsel Ashok Bhatt told the sessions court that his client faces charges of rape, wrongful restraint and confinement and criminal intimidation under various sections of the IPC.

Bhatt said CID investigating the complaint of rape by the wife of Halappa's friend, had only filed an FIR before the court and not produced any CDs purportedly containing photographs of the alleged victim, taken by her husband.

The CID, which began probing the rape charge yesterday, had said it would not desist from arresting him if there is a prima facie case.

The alleged victim and her husband, a financer, have lodged an FIR, claiming Halappa had raped her and later threatened them with dire consequences if they spoke about it.

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

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had on May 3 announced a CID probe after Halappa, who is from the chief minister's home district of Shimoga, resigned on May 2 following a media report on the alleged incident last November.