Honey trap attempts charge: Minister Rajanna yet to file complaint, says G Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna is yet to file a complaint on the alleged attempt to honeytrap him and other politicians, to investigate the matter.
He also said that if there is a specific complaint in connection with alleged tapping of political leaders' phones including those from opposition in the state, it will be investigated.
"A complaint should be given. Upon its receipt, an investigation will be conducted. This will be my response regardless of how many times you ask," Parameshwara told reporters here regarding the allegations of honey trap attempt.
To a question on a public interest litigation filed in Supere Court seeking a direction to probe an incident of alleged honey trap coming up, he said, "let's see what the judgement is."
When pointed out that no complaint has been filed by Minister Rajanna, in connection with the alleged honey trap attempt, even six days after the issue raised in the legislative assembly, the Home Minister said, "You should ask him (Rajanna), instead you are asking me. Can I make him file a complaint? He has to file the complaint, whenever he feels fit, after that the department's work will begin."
Responding to a question, was there any pressure on Rajanna or him amid speculations over the alleged involvement of their own party leaders in honey trapping, he said, "I don't know, ask him. There is no pressure on me in connection with the case. Once the complaint is given, investigation will begin....I have already announced a high level probe. The Chief Minister will decide on the nature and level of the probe, but there is a need for cause of action, so a complaint has to come."
Rajanna on Thursday had told the Assembly that honey trap attempts were made on him and that at least 48 politicians across parties have fallen victim to this.
The issue had created noise in the Assembly. While the Home Minister has announced a high level probe into it, opposition has demanded for a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge.
Regarding the allegations of phone tapping, Parameshwara said, no one has given any complaint to him or any police station in this regard.
"I have noticed that Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has spoken about phone tapping, I have not come across any such thing. If any one gives a specific complaint, we will take it and it can be verified," he said in response to a question.
Ashoka on Monday had accused the Congress government of "tapping" the phones of key state leaders, including ministers and ruling party MLAs.
To a question whether there were any attempts to spy on some ministers involved in "dinner meetings", Parameshwara said, the intelligence department was with the Chief Minister, and that he hadn't heard of such things or have any such supecions.
Asked about the speculations that an "external intelligence" was spying on Ministers involved in dinner meetings including him, he said, let anyone keep watch, no problem.
"We are not holding such meetings in hiding. We had met in Minister Mahadevappa's house to discuss internal reservation (among SCs). Yesterday we met the Chief Minister on this matter. As part of the preparation for the meeting with the CM, we had all met earlier (at Mahadevappa's residence)," he added.
Asked whether any inquiry report had been submitted by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta in connection with the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, the Home Minister said he was not aware of it and was not sure whether any interim report had been submitted to the Chief Minister.
"We don't discuss with him (Gupta) on a day-to-day basis regarding the probe, he was given a week's time, he may give the report. Once it is given, we will get to know," he said.
The Karnataka government has appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to probe the role of Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-ranked police officer, if any, in the alleged gold smuggling activity of his step daughter Ranya Rao.
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Watch: Tusker rescued from 20-foot well in Sullia after 16-hour operation
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Mangaluru (PTI): A lone tusker that had fallen into an abandoned 20-foot-deep well in Dakshina Kannada district was successfully rescued after forest officials constructed an earthen ramp, allowing the animal to walk out safely, officials said.
The incident occurred when the elephant, aged about 30 years and roaming in the forested Sampaje range of Sullia taluk in the Western Ghats, accidentally fell into the well in the early hours of Monday and was rescued at around 4 pm the same day, they said.
Initially, when the operation began, officials suspected it was a calf. But midway through the rescue, as it made its way out, they realised it was actually an elephant.
The animal remained trapped inside the well for nearly 16 hours before being rescued, officials added.
Huge relief, the elephant is out of the well.
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
The animal has moved into nearby plantations instead of heading back to the forest. Forest teams remain on high alert.#ElephantRescue #Karnataka https://t.co/ZCLU6COXTv pic.twitter.com/begPVx1oki
According to officials, acting swiftly, the Karnataka Forest Department created a gradual ramp from the bottom of the well to ground level using earth-moving equipment, ensuring a safe exit path for the animal.
After spending about 16 hours inside the well, the elephant walked out safely using the ramp and disappeared into the nearby forest, officials said.
A wild elephant trapped in a well in Peraje, Sullia. Rescue underway. Forest officials on-site for hours, digging to bring the animal out safely. Prayers for the gentle giant. #elephants #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/GZ7yp7pA8q
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
Forest department officials told PTI that the tusker did not sustain any injuries despite the fall and remained healthy and alert throughout the operation.
They monitored the animal as it climbed the ramp and returned to its natural habitat.
The timely intervention prevented any harm to the elephant and highlighted the swift response of the forest team in wildlife rescue operations in the Western Ghats region, which is known for human-elephant conflict incidents.
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