'Honey trap' case: 18 BJP MLAs suspended for 6 months from Karnataka Assembly

18 BJP MLAs have been suspended from the Karnataka Assembly. Assembly Speaker UT Khader on Friday suspended 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly for 6 months for creating a ruckus on the issue of 'honey trap' cases and disrupting the proceedings of the House.

Opposition leaders had demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into the alleged 'honey-trap' case involving a minister of the Karnataka government and other politicians. On Friday, BJP MLAs came in front of the well of the House and created a ruckus by tearing papers.

At the same time, today a bill has been passed to suspend 18 BJP MLAs for six months for disrupting the proceedings of the Assembly. The bill was introduced by Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil.

What is Karnataka's 'honey trap' case?

The high-profile ‘honey trap’ controversy in Karnataka has shaken the state's political landscape. The issue surfaced when Karnataka’s Cooperation Minister, K.N. Rajanna, revealed in the Assembly that he narrowly escaped a honey trap attempt. He further claimed that at least 48 political leaders, including MLAs, central leaders, and even judges, had fallen victim to similar tactics. His statement escalated tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.

On March 20, 2025, during the budget session in the Karnataka Assembly, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal first raised the issue. He alleged that incidents of honey traps are increasing in the state. Cooperation Minister Rajanna was also targeted. In response, Rajanna admitted that there was an attempt of honey trap against him and the problem is not limited to him alone. He said, 'Karnataka has become a factory of pen drives and CDs. I have information that 48 people, including MLAs, central leaders and even judges, have fallen into this trap.'

After this, the state's Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi also accepted the seriousness of the matter. He said, 'It is true that there was an attempt to trap a minister in a honey trap. This happened twice. However, both times this attempt was unsuccessful. Honey trap is not a new thing in Karnataka, it has been going on for the last 20 years. Some people are using it as an investment in politics.' Jarkiholi also suggested that the concerned minister should file a complaint with the police so that the people behind it can be traced.