BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil on Friday urged Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara to hand over the alleged honeytrap case involving elected representatives to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a fair and impartial investigation.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Patil wrote, “I have written a letter to the Home Minister @DrParameshwara to hand over the alleged honeytrap of elected representatives to the CBI to ensure a fair & impartial investigation.”
The demand comes in the wake of Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s shocking revelation that an attempt was made to honeytrap him, leading to chaos in the Karnataka Assembly on Friday.
As soon as the revelation was made, BJP legislators created an uproar, chanting “Down, down!” Some MLAs even held up CDs, claiming they contained evidence of the alleged honeytrap scandal. The protest intensified as BJP members stormed into the well of the House, interrupting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s address.
BJP Leader of Opposition R Ashoka called it a deep conspiracy targeting lawmakers.
“This is not just about one party. It is the biggest conspiracy against legislators who work for the people. Some individuals are using honeytraps with a clear hidden agenda,” Ashoka stated.
In response to the heated debate, CM Siddaramaiah assured the House that his government would not shield anyone involved in the case.
“It is the government’s duty to ensure justice. According to the law, the guilty must be punished. The Home Minister has already responded to the allegations made by KN Rajanna and has set up an inquiry. If Rajanna lodges a formal complaint, a high-level investigation will be conducted. There is no question of protecting anyone in this case,” Siddaramaiah said.
The controversy erupted after Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna on Thursday claimed that a honeytrap attempt had been made on him. During the budget session, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil raised the issue, calling it a threat to democracy.
“This is a dangerous trend. People’s representatives are being blackmailed,” Patil said.
Acknowledging the claim, Rajanna said, “Many people say Karnataka has become a CD and pen drive factory. This is a serious issue. It is being said that an influential minister from Tumakuru has been caught in a honeytrap. The ones from Tumakuru are G Parameshwara and me.”
Rajanna assured the House that he would file an official complaint and called on the Home Minister to launch an inquiry.
In response, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that he would order a high-level investigation into the allegations.
“To uphold the dignity of the House, this issue must be addressed appropriately. If Rajanna submits a written request, I will ensure a high-level probe. The truth must come out,” Parameshwara said in the Assembly.
The honeytrap allegations have sparked a major controversy in Karnataka politics, raising questions about political blackmail and security concerns for legislators. With the demand for a CBI investigation, the case is likely to gain further momentum in the coming days.