The Congress government in Karnataka is dragging its feet in the honey-trap scandal that rocked the state Assembly last week, as no FIR has been registered or probe initiated into the allegations made by cooperation minister K.N. Rajanna in the House.
Rajanna, who had admitted that he was a victim of a honey trap “attempt” like 48 other politicians, had been evading lodging a complaint in the police station, raising suspicion that the government is trying to brush the incident under the carpet fearing damage to the party’s image.
After AICC chief Mallaikarjun Kharge’s meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last Sunday, the Congress leaders have remained elusive, trying to downplay the issue. With the opposition BJP claiming that the entire episode was part of the power tussle within the Congress party, the party high command seems to have warned the state leaders against a self goal by pursuing the issue.
On Tuesday, Rajanna met Home Minister G. Parameshwara at his official residence in Bengaluru and handed him a three-page complaint letter instead of lodging a complaint with the police.
Addressing a joint press conference, the home minister claimed that Rajanna’s letter was only an “appeal” and not a “complaint”.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | On the alleged honey-trapping of public servants, including judges in Karnataka, State Home Minister G Parameshwara says, "On the 20th of this month, there was an issue raised by the opposition members that there was a honey trap attempt on many of the… pic.twitter.com/l7JJKH8HeL
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2025
“Rajanna has given me the letter and I will discuss it with the chief minister about the future course of action,” said Parameshwara.
When asked if the government would take suo moto action and initiate a probe into the allegations made by the minister, Parameshwara claimed that he could not take suo motu action as Rajanna’s statement was made inside the Assembly and it was now the property of the House.
“We will now need the Speaker’s permission to lodge a complaint,” claimed Parameshwara, refusing to divulge any details about the letter.
Rajanna on the other hand did a U-turn and said he had only mentioned that there were people in Karnataka and also Delhi who had been honey-trap victims. “I never said judges had been honey trapped. In my complaint, I have only detailed my experience. I am surprised the media has attributed many unspoken words to me,” he said.
#WATCH | Tumakuru | Karnataka Minister K. N. Rajanna claims he was a victim of a honey trap attempt. He says, "Today, I am going to file a complaint by meeting the Home Minister in person." pic.twitter.com/i9uxPaW8if
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2025
Rajanna also clarified that his intention was to seek justice for all the aggrieved and to end the menace. “It was never to take revenge against somebody or make allegations against anybody. The media had kept telecasting that a Tumkur minister was honeytrapped. I had to clarify As Yatnal mentioned my name. After the incident, I was tied up with prior appointments. As I was busy I could not apply my mind. Today I met the home minister and gave the details,” he added.
