Gag orders issued on Halappa's health

Shimoga JMFC grants conditional bail to two aides

Sources at the hospital revealed that doctors have been warned not to make public any personal details relating to the former minister.  There was no change in Halappa's health condition on his second day at the hospital. The minister is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, vertigo and asthma. Hospital sources said Halappa was still suffering from wheezing. A series of diagnostic tests including X-rays were conducted on him on Saturday.

Reluctant to give details about Halappa's health condition, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital Dr B G Tilak said Halappa was being treated for his all his ailments.  "He will be kept in the hospital until his condition stabilises which would take another two-three days," he said.

Halappa was brought to City's Victoria Hospital for additional treatment from Shimoga on Friday.  He is presently admitted to a special ward. The former minister is facing charges of rape and is under judicial custody.

Hearing adjourned

The JMFC court in Shimoga on Saturday granted conditional bail to Girish and Basavaraj, aides of Halappa against whom cases were registered on the charge of criminal intimidation.

The duo have been directed by the court to deposit Rs one lakh each as surety and appear before the police daily.

They are instructed against further threatening the complainant and indulging in attempts to destroy the evidence. The Court has also asked them to seek a fresh bail within a month. On the other hand, the Court adjourned the hearing on the application filed by CID seeking permission to test the blood sample of Halappa, to May 17. The investigators had filed the application on May 10.

Defence lawyer Ashok Bhat had sought permission from the court to file objection to the application by May 15. As Ashok Bhat was not able to file application, the Court adjourned the hearing to May 17.