Special Correspondent
Mumbai:A high-profile honey trap scandal is shaking Maharashtra’s political and bureaucratic circles, with the controversy now reaching the floor of the Legislative Assembly. As per reports, a total of 72 individuals, including senior IAS officers, police officials, current and former ministers, and political leaders, are suspected to be involved. A formal complaint has been lodged with the police, prompting serious concerns over leakage of confidential documents and potential threats to state security.
Raising the issue during the Assembly session, senior Congress MLA Nana Patole said, “A highly sensitive matter is unfolding in the state. Through this honey trap, confidential documents and secret files from Maharashtra’s administration are allegedly being accessed and passed on to unauthorized individuals. The names of IAS officers, senior bureaucrats, and ministers are doing the rounds. If such documents fall into the hands of anti-national or disruptive elements, it could pose a grave threat to the state and the entire administrative system.”
Patole urged Speaker Rahul Narwekar to instruct the government to submit a detailed clarification in the House by this evening. He added,“You are our guardian in this House. It is your responsibility to ask the government for facts and ensure that members are informed about the reality.” In response, Speaker Narwekar directed the state government to take serious cognizance of the matter and provide clarity to the Assembly.
The case came to light following a complaint by a senior officer in Nashik, who alleged that he was honey-trapped by a woman who later blackmailed him for money. Based on his complaint, the Crime Branch has begun a detailed investigation.
Those allegedly trapped include officials holding positions like Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioners, DCPs, Excise Superintendents, and others. It is suspected that the accused woman, possibly with accomplices, used digital communication and personal interactions to entrap officials and extort them by threatening to expose sensitive material.
Authorities fear that this is not just a case of extortion, but one with far-reaching implications. If confidential government documents are indeed being leaked through such traps, it could amount to a national security threat. Some sources suggest that an organised network may be behind this, aiming to compromise influential figures in the administration and politics.
