‘Many ministers will be implicated if serious probe takes place’: BJP MP Shettar on alleged honeytrap case

HUBBALLI: BJP MP Jagadish Shettar on Saturday raised concerns over the alleged honeytrap scandal in Karnataka, claiming that several insiders, including ministers and influential figures, are involved in it. He accused the state government of attempting to suppress the issue to prevent a political crisis and reiterated his demand for a CBI investigation.

Speaking to the media, Shettar alleged that a thorough probe could expose high-profile individuals, which is why there is a concerted effort to shut down the case.

“Several insiders are involved, and if a serious investigation takes place, many Karnataka ministers and important people will be implicated, which is why they want to close everything. I have insisted multiple times that the honey trap issue should be investigated by the CBI to reveal the truth, as the current government appears to be trying to suppress the matter to avoid a political collapse,” the BJP MP said.

#WATCH | Hubli, Karnataka | On milk price hike in the state, BJP MP Jagadish Shettar says, “Increment of day-to-day commodities impacts the common man… The government announced a price hike for milk, justifying it as a benefit to farmers, but for this, the government should… pic.twitter.com/rEHCo9cYl6

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Recently, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL seeking an independent probe by CBI or SIT into the alleged honeytrapping of legislators, public servants and judges in Karnataka. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta declined the plea, calling it “political nonsense”.

“You are a resident of Jharkhand. Why are you bothering about what is happening in that state? They are competent enough to take care of this,” Justice Nath told advocate Barun Sinha, who was representing the petitioner.

When the advocate said allegations surrounding the honeytrap case were serious and a judicial inquiry is required, the bench said, “Why should you fall into a honey-trap? If you fall into honey-trap, they are inviting trouble for yourself.”

When the lawyer said there are allegations that judges are also involved in the honey trap, Justice Nath replied, “Forget about judges; they will take care of themselves.”

The plea filed by a Jharkhand resident, Binay Kumar Singh, sought independent probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising of police officers who are not subject to control or influence of the State of Karnataka.

Last week, cooperation minister K N Rajanna alleged that 48 people have fallen victim to “honey traps” in the state and their obscene videos have been circulated. The Congress MLA claimed that the list was across party lines, including state and national leaders. (ANI)