Honeytrap scandal in Maharashtra: Over 70 senior officials allegedly targeted
opposition demands probe
Mumbai: A massive honeytrap scandal has reportedly rocked Maharashtra, with allegations that between 72 to 75 senior government officials, including bureaucrats, police officers, and politicians, have been ensnared in an elaborate extortion scheme. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has demanded a high-level investigation into the matter, citing potential risks to national security and administrative integrity.
Raising the issue in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, senior Congress leader and former Speaker Nana Patole urged the government to act swiftly. “This is a serious matter. If confidential documents fall into the hands of anti-national elements due to this honeytrap, it would be a grave lapse,” he warned. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the government to take note of the issue.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase echoed the concern, claiming the network of honeytraps extends across key urban centers like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik. He alleged that the victims include high-ranking government officials and politicians, raising "serious questions about the vulnerability of our governance apparatus.”
Tapase asked: “Why is the government silent on the media reports? How did this operation manage to target so many high-profile individuals without early detection? Why did intelligence agencies fail to act? What measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?”
According to Tapase, the alleged mastermind behind the racket is from Nashik and is reportedly a former office-bearer of a political party. He detailed a modus operandi involving women posing as distressed individuals who gradually gained the trust of officials, then secretly recorded compromising photos and videos, using them to extort victims with threats of false rape charges.
Social activist Vijay Kumbhar added that many of the alleged incidents occurred in a luxury hotel in Nashik. “One woman has already lodged a complaint at the Mumbai Naka Police Station,” he said, questioning the silence of the Chief Minister and the inaction of the State Intelligence Department.
“If this is true, it’s disgraceful. If it’s false, why is no action being taken against those spreading misinformation? Either way, the government’s silence reeks of rot,” Kumbhar stated.
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Yenepoya University conducts autism awareness campaign in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The Department of Occupational Therapy at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) conducted a community-based Autism Awareness Campaign at Fiza Mall and Ullal Beach in the city.
The campaign was aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and early identification of autism, in line with the global theme, “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.”
The programme was led by Dr. Dhayanithi K and Dr. Ananya Jana as organising chairpersons, with Dr. Anas, Dr. Amanda S. Phillip, and Dr. Ansu V. David served as organising members.
Students of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme participated in conducting the campaign.
The event included activities such as flash mobs, street plays, face painting, mehendi, and direct interaction with the public.
These activities focused on highlighting early signs of autism, the need for early intervention, and the importance of inclusion and acceptance of individuals with autism.
The campaign reached around 300 to 500 members of the public. It also provided students with practical exposure to community-based rehabilitation and public health education.
As part of the initiative, QR-based digital resources were introduced to help the public access reliable information on autism.
“Awareness is the first step towards inclusion, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes,” the organising team said.
The department thanked the university for its support in organising the campaign. It also acknowledged the cooperation of the management of Fiza Mall and the Ullal Beach Police Department in facilitating the event.
