'Blackmail Must Come to an End': Honeytrap Controversy Rocks Karnataka Assembly, Minister Claims 48 MLAs Targeted

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government will order high-level probe into the alleged instance of 48 MLAs being "honey trapped" over the last 20 years. 

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal raised concerns about honey trapping of MLAs, alleging that organised gangs were targeting several Congress ministers. In response, Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna revealed in the Assembly that he had recently been targeted in a honey trapping attempt.

48 MLAs Victim of Honey Trap

K N Rajanna said, "There is a talk that a minister from Tumkuru has been a victim of honey trap. There are only two of us from Tumkuru, one is me and the other is the Home Minister".

"This is not a new discussion,' he added. "There are 48 members who are said to have been victims of this. Many of them have also taken a stay from the High Court. There are such people on both sides and now my name is also being taken."

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K N Rajanna said that character assassination of individuals had been carried out through pen drives. He also mentioned that leaders from all parties had spoken about the issue.

Rajanna further revealed that Ramesh Jarkiholi, Revanna, and Prajwal Revanna had obtained a stay order regarding the pen drives. A total of 48 pen drives had been prepared in connection with the matter, adding that “this blackmail must come to an end.”

Requesting for high-level investigation into the matter, K N Rajanna said, "I appeal to the Home Minister to investigate this matter thoroughly. If needed, I am ready to file a complaint myself. At least we should know who is its director and who is the actor".

Home Minister to Order Probe

Home Minister G Parameshwara in the Assembly announced that he will order probe, after Congress minister K N Rajanna revealed he was targeted in a honey-trapping attempt by a young woman.

Earlier, Public Works Development Minister Satish Jarkiholi revealed that two ministers in the government had been targeted in honey-trapping attempts.

Jarkiholi told reporters earlier today, "There were two attempts on a minister, but they weren't successful," after the issue was raised in the state assembly by former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar.

"It has been happening for the last 20 years. Every party -- Congress, BJP, and JDS -- is a victim," Jarkiholi added.

BJP minister Ramesh Jarkiholi was forced to resign in 2021 after allegedly being honey-trapped by a gang. The woman involved filed a rape case, but the matter is still pending trial in court. The SIT has suggested it may be a case of honey trapping rather than rape.