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Karnataka Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna admitted in the Assembly that at least 48 people have fallen victim to “honey traps” in the state and their obscene videos have been circulated.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara speaks during the state Assembly session. (PTI file photo)
Legislators across the party lines on Thursday alleged that “honey trap” attempts were being made on at least 48 MLAs in Karnataka to achieve political goals.
Karnataka Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna admitted in the Assembly that at least 48 people have fallen victim to “honey traps” in the state and their obscene videos have been circulated.
“People say that there is a CD (compact disk) and pen drive factory in Karnataka. I have come to know that there are CDs and pen drives of 48 people available in the state. This network is spread across India and even several union ministers have been trapped,” Rajanna said.
Earlier today, State Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi alleged that a cabinet colleague faced two unsuccessful “honey trap” attempts.
“Yes, there was an attempt at honey trapping a minister, and it happened twice. However, the attempts were not successful. Honey trapping in Karnataka is not something new. There is no need for such activities in politics, but a few are using this as their investment. This must come to an end,” Jarkiholi said.
Condemning the incident, he said politics should not involve such tactics. Some people exploit such situations for political gains, and it should be stopped.
“We have asked the minister concerned to file a complaint, only then can the police act and launch an investigation,” he added.
Jarkiholi emphasised that those behind it should be brought to justice.
“We will speak to the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah)… have already discussed it with the Home Minister (G Parameshwara). If there is a complaint, it will help the investigation,” he said.
Stressing the need for a non-partisan fight against honey trapping, the Minister said politicians cutting across all parties have been victims of it.
“In the earlier governments too there were victims of honey trapping, some names were heard, now our people’s (Congress) names are heard, if it happens in the future too, it won’t be surprising. This must end,” he added.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara stressed the need to curb such tendencies.
Parameshwara said he will order a high-level probe into the “honey trap” cases in the state. He insisted that there is a need to put an end to such tendencies. “If we have to preserve the dignity of our members, we have to put an end to such incidents. It’s a serious issue. I will order a high-level probe into it,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar too backed the call for a police complaint in the matter. “Let a complaint be given to the police station first, let’s get it investigated,” he said.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka demanded that the case be investigated by a sitting judge and urged the government to take the matter seriously. “Let a honey trap case be investigated by a sitting judge. We need to take it seriously. Let the Home Minister announce what kind of investigation he will conduct,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi also called for a special investigation into the matter.
During the house proceedings, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal claimed that blackmail tactics were used to eliminate political rivals. Another MLA V Sunil Kumar echoed the concern, saying those who could not defeat their opponents have resorted to blackmailing to achieve their political goals.
“The situation is grim when a minister makes such a statement. We will conclude that the government is involved if it did not take action and give a proper reply on it,” Kumar said.
(With inputs from agencies)
