Bengaluru: Supreme Court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored, independent investigation into alleged honey-trapping of legislators, public servants and judges in Karnataka, an allegation made by Karnataka minister KN Rajanna in the legislature on Friday.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has scheduled the hearing for Tuesday.
The PIL, filed by Jharkhand resident Binay Kumar Singh through advocate Barun Sinha, seeks a probe by CBI or Special Investigation Team. It also demands an inquiry against those who may have benefitted from the scandal and prosecution of those responsible.
Cooperation minister Rajanna, who made the explosive claim, continues to delay filing a formal complaint. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who had had a meeting with the minister on Sunday, urged him to file a police complaint if he didn’t have any ready proof to back his allegation of honeytrap attempts targeting the minister and 47 others.
Initially vowing to take up the matter officially, Rajanna has since adopted a cautious stance. “I’ll file a complaint with the home minister at an appropriate time. I haven’t set a specific timeline for it yet,” he said Monday, adding to speculation over his intentions.
The allegation triggered uproar, with the opposition demanding a judicial or CBI probe, ultimately leading to the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs for six months.
Sources claimed public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, a close aide of CM Siddaramaiah, is preparing to visit Delhi to brief party leader Rahul Gandhi about the controversy. Several ministers and MLAs are expected to accompany him, urging the high command to intervene in the matter.