Opposition demands judicial probe into 'honey-trap' allegations in Karnataka Assembly
Bengaluru, Mar 21 (PTI): The opposition BJP and JD(S) created a ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly on Friday, demanding a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the alleged "honey-trap" attempt involving a minister and other politicians.
BJP and JD(S) members stormed into the well of the House, protesting with CDs in hand and shouting slogans, even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured them of a high-level probe.
Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna had informed the Assembly on Thursday that there had been attempts to honey-trap him and that at least 48 politicians across parties had fallen victim to similar schemes.
Addressing the issue, Siddaramaiah stated that no one would be protected, regardless of their position, and that the government would ensure a thorough investigation and necessary action.
"Rajanna has spoken about an attempt to honey-trap him. Home Minister G Parameshwara has already responded, stating that a high-level investigation will be conducted. Let Rajanna file a complaint. All Congress, BJP, and JD(S) members will be provided protection. Those who have violated the law must be punished accordingly," he said.
A probe would be conducted to identify those behind the honey-trap attempt, Siddaramaiah assured. "It is our responsibility to protect all citizens of the state. We will ensure a high-level investigation."
Home Minister Parameshwara reiterated that Rajanna had expressed his intent to file a complaint and had requested an investigation but had yet to formally submit it.
"I have already assured the House that I will get the matter investigated. I am committed to a high-level probe. I will discuss the nature of the investigation with the Chief Minister, and we will decide accordingly, considering your suggestions," he added.
However, the opposition demanded that the government clarify the nature of the probe and insisted on an investigation led by a sitting High Court judge, given the high-profile nature of the case.
Expressing frustration at the continued demands, Siddaramaiah asked, "What more do you want when we have already assured a high-level probe and promised to consider your suggestions? Parameshwara and I will discuss and decide."
As the Chief Minister began his response to the budget discussion, BJP and JD(S) members stormed into the well of the House again, shouting slogans such as "Down with the honey-trap government" and "Save Minister Rajanna."
Earlier in the day, as soon as the House convened, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar raised the issue of the honey-trap controversy involving politicians and demanded an answer from Siddaramaiah before he responded to the debate on the 2025–26 State Budget.
Citing Minister K N Rajanna’s statement from the previous day and arguing that it had lowered the dignity of the House, Kumar said, "If a minister has to come to the House and claim that there was an attempt to honey-trap him while requesting a probe from the Home Minister, what does that say about the situation? How is the cabinet functioning? Is there no morality left in the cabinet and the Chief Minister?"
Kumar also urged Siddaramaiah to announce the details of the high-level probe and ensure the protection of all House members.
"What is the intelligence department doing? The CM must provide answers, as intelligence falls under his purview."
Leader of the Opposition R Ashok noted that since Rajanna had alleged honey traps involving central leaders, ministers, and political figures across all parties, the government should order a judicial probe led by a sitting High Court judge.
"If ministers aren’t protected, who will protect us? If someone is trying to eliminate others for the CM’s chair, where is the morality?" he asked.
At this point, Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that similar incidents occurred during the previous BJP government, with several ministers obtaining court stays. He said, "Those issues were never discussed in the House."
This led to a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition parties.
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Strict security measures in place in Mumbai for Messi's events at 2 venues Dec 14, say police
Mumbai (PTI): In view of Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's visit to Mumbai on Sunday, the city police are implementing stringent security measures, like not allowing water bottles, metals, coins inside the stadiums and setting up watchtowers to keep an eye on the crowd, officials said.
The police also said taking extra care to avoid any stampede-like situation and to prevent recurrence of the chaotic situation that unfolded in Kolkata during Messi's visit on Saturday as thousands of fans protested inside the Salt Lake stadium here after failing to catch a clear glimpse of the football icon despite paying hefty sums for tickets.
Messi is expected to be present at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) in Mumbai on Sunday for a Padel GOAT Cup event followed by attending a celebrity football match. He is expected to proceed to the Wankhede Stadium for the GOAT India Tour main event around 5 pm.
"In view of Lionel Messi's visit to Mumbai, the police are geared up and have put in place a high level of security arrangements in and around the stadiums located in south Mumbai. Considering the chaos that prevailed in Kolkata and the security breach, we have deployed World Cup-level security arrangements at Brabourne and Wankhede stadiums," an official said.
Expecting heavy crowd near the stadiums during Messi's visit, the city police force has deployed more than 2,000 of its personnel near and around both the venues, he said.
As the Mumbai police have the experience of security 'bandobast' during the victory parade of ICC World Cup-winning Indian team and World Cup final match at the Wankhede Stadium, in which over one lakh cricket fans had gathered, we are prepared to handle a large crowd of fans, he said.
"We are trying to avoid the errors that occurred in the past," the official said.
There is no place to sneak inside the stadiums in Mumbai like the Kolkata stadium, according to him.
The police are also asking the organisers to provide all the required facilities to the fans inside the stadium, so that there will be no chaos, he said, adding the spectators have purchased tickets in the range of Rs 5,000 to 25,000. After paying so much of amount, any spectator expects proper services, while enjoying the event, he said.
The police are expecting 33,000 spectators at the Wankhede Stadium and over 4,000 at Brabourne Stadium. Besides this, more than 30,000 people are expected outside and around the stadiums just to have a glimpse of the football sensation, he said.
The organisers responsible for Messi's India visit recently came to Mumbai to discuss security arrangements. During the meeting, the Mumbai police asked them not to take the event lightly, according to the official.
After those requirements were fulfilled, the final security deployment was chalked out, he said.
Police has the standard procedure of the security arrangements inside the Wankhede Stadium, where people are barred from taking water bottles, metals objects, coins. Police are setting up watch towers near the stadiums and there will be traffic diversions, so that there is maximum space available to stand, according to the official.
Police are also appealing to the spectators to use public transport service for commuting and avoid personal vehicles to reach south Mumbai.
To avoid any stampede-like situation, police are also taking precautionary measures and will stop the fans some distance ahead of the stadium and public announcement systems will be used to guide the crowd. Barricades will be placed at various places to manage the crowd.
In case the crowd swells up beyond expectation, the police will divert people to other grounds and preparations in this regard underway, he said.
Additional police force has been deployed in south Mumbai to tackle any kind of situation, he said.
