SC dismisses plea for CBI probe into Karnataka honey-trap allegations

Supreme Court dismisses petition seeking CBI probe into honey-trapping allegations by Karnataka Minister, legislators, and judges.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) refused to entertain a petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into allegations by Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna that he and 48 others, including legislators, Central leaders, and judges, had become victims of organised honey-trapping.

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A Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath dismissed the petition filed by Jharkhand resident Binay Kumar Singh.

Mr. Singh had sought a probe by an independent agency or a Special Investigation Team comprising police officers of integrity and “who are not subject to control or influence of the State of Karnataka”. He had said the probe should be monitored by a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.

Very serious and troubling allegations have been made on the floor of the Karnataka State legislature i.e. Vidhana Soudha, that a person aspiring to be the Chief Minister has been successful in honey-trapping several persons, amongst whom are judges. The allegations have been made by a sitting Minister who has himself claimed to be a victim, thereby lending credibility to the serious allegations,” Mr. Singh had submitted in his petition.

The petition referred to another Minister in the State government subsequently claiming that the “scale and proportion of the scandal is at least 10 times than what is currently visible”.

“Judge getting compromised by means like honey-trapping poses a serious threat to judicial independence and gravely undermines public confidence in the institution. Much murmuring has already been caused by multiple media reports and social media. In this backdrop, it is imperative that the Supreme Court steps in to salvage the reputation and public confidence in judicial system of the country,” the petition had urged.