Mumbai: In Maharashtra, a political leader has claimed that 72 senior officials and former ministers have been ensnared in a honey trap, creating a stir in the state's political circles. The claim was made during an informal chat with reporters while the leader was visiting Nashik.
Among those implicated is a senior official from Nashik, though it remains unclear whether the videos associated with the case are genuine evidence of a honey trap. The matter first came to light following a complaint filed at the Mumbai Naka police station in Nashik, centering on incidents that occurred in a five-star hotel.
Despite the serious allegations, no officials have yet come forward to address the honey trap claims, leaving the investigation ongoing. Initial reports suggest that officials and leaders from Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune are involved, according to reports by TV9 Marathi. The timing of this revelation coincides with the current monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha, heightening public curiosity about the developments.
The mastermind behind the honey trap has been identified as a former office bearer of a prominent political party in Nashik. The issue gained traction when a senior politician publicly discussed it, leading to multiple complaints being lodged, three with the Thane district police and one in Nashik, which emphasises the gravity of the situation.
The accusations indicate that seven Class One administrative officers, civil servants, and former ministers are implicated. The complaints include serious claims of extortion, with reports detailing that the leader of the honey trap demanded three crores from a senior official, resulting in the officer's suicide attempt. The officer’s wife subsequently filed a police report, alongside evidence in the form of a video.
The current investigations are being handled with discretion, as the complainants have requested anonymity during the inquiry. Inquiries made to the police have met with a lack of information, indicating their commitment to maintaining confidentiality. Furthermore, it's reported that the implicated ministers hail from North Maharashtra, with their names appearing in the complaints. However, the police have not disclosed these names, sparking widespread speculation about their identities and the political implications of this unfolding scandal. Discussions and inquiries in political circles continue as this major incident develops.
