Supporters, politician friends, family have stopped visiting rape accused former excise minister in Victoria Hospital

Halappa had no visitors in the last fortnight

Supporters, politician friends, family have stopped visiting rape accused former excise minister in Victoria Hospital

Former excise minister Haratalu Halappa, who has been lodged in the jail ward of Victoria hospital following his arrest on charges of rape, reportedly craves for a mobile phone.

Since his arrest on May 14, Halappa's communication with the outside world has been close to non-existent.

Not one of his political friends or relatives has bothered to visit him in the last fortnight, according to hospital sources.

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Security personnel have not allowed any mobile phones or other communication devices inside the ward.

This has understandably upset Halappa who had a busy social life outside.
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Halappa has reportedly asked several visitors for mobile phones only to learn that the policemen on duty had already asked for the phones to be deposited at the door.

With the number of visitors on the decline and his inability to procure a mobile phone, Halappa is reportedly getting increasingly restless for social contact.

Few of Halappa's friends have been allowed inside the ward on condition they don't speak to him.

Doctors have also given medical reasons for not letting Halapaa talk, adding to his frustration at the being confined to his bed all hours of the day.

A policemen on duty at the Victoria hospital said, "We have strict orders to not allow any mobile phones inside the room. We don't even let doctors take their phones inside.

No politicians have visited the ward for the last 15 days and he does not have a mobile phone." Halappa's advocate remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.

Betrayed?

Halappa has been accused of raping Chandravathi, the wife of Shimoga moneylender Venkateshmurthy.

Speaking with MiD DAY, Venkateshmurthy had said that the minister was close to his family and had stayed with them on the night when he attempted to rape his wife.

Chandravati later filed a complaint against Halappau00a0 with Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh at his residence under Section 378 of the Indian Penal Code, accusing him of attempt to rape.

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