CID launches probe into ‘honey-trap’ complaint
The investigation was ordered by director general of police (DGP) Alok Mohan after Rajanna submitted a petition to state home minister G Parameshwara
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Karnataka Police has launched a probe into alleged honey-trapping attempts on several politicians across parties, following a complaint from state minister and Congress leader KN Rajanna, whose allegations in the state assembly creating a massive uproar during the just-concluded budget session, a senior police officer said on Thursday.
The investigation was ordered by director general of police (DGP) Alok Mohan after Rajanna, who is the minister for cooperation in the Siddaramaiah-led state cabinet, submitted a petition to state home minister G Parameshwara, detailing the issue and seeking a thorough investigation.
The home minister then referred the matter to CID.
Confirming the development CID DGP MA Saleem told HT: “We have received a copy of the complaint from the DGP and started an inquiry. We are gathering details of the case, and after receiving directions from the government, appropriate legal action will be taken.”
As part of the investigation, CID sleuths visited Rajanna’s government residence at Jayanagar in Bengaluru on Thursday, Saleem said, adding the officials also inspected the minister’s guest house on Jayamahal Road and recorded statements of household staff posted there.
The state government has given 14 days to CID to collect evidence following which it will decide whether a special investigation team (SIT) is required in the issue, people familiar with the matter said.
On March 20, Rajanna informed the assembly that there had been attempts to “honey-trap” him and that at least 48 politicians across parties fell victims to similar schemes, triggering strong protests by legislators from the opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular).
“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 alleged in the assembly.
Amid massive stir in the assembly, where members protested with placards, the home minister announced a high-level probe while the opposition demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting high court judge.
The issue that rocked the Karnataka politics also reached the Supreme Court, but a three-judge bench on Wednesday dismissed a plea filed by a social activist seeking a CBI probe into the “honey-trap” attempt allegation.
