Maharashtra Honeytrap Row: Minister Yogesh Kadam Rejects Allegations, Calls It 'Political Mudslinging'

Mumbai: Amid uproar in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly over sensational honeytrap allegations, Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam on Thursday firmly denied any official confirmation regarding the matter.

Reacting to Congress leader Nana Patole’s claims, Kadam said, “There has been no official confirmation so far. No complaint has been filed at any police station. The reports in the media appear completely baseless. This seems like an attempt to defame the government. If anyone has evidence, they should present it, politics should not be played through rumours.”

Nana Patole Raises Honeytrap Issue In Assembly

The controversy erupted on Wednesday during Zero Hour when Congress MLA Nana Patole alleged in the Assembly that senior IAS officers and cabinet ministers were being targeted in a honeytrap operation. According to Patole, this may have resulted in the leak of confidential state information.

“There is growing concern that classified information from Maharashtra has been accessed through a systematic honeytrap. Reports suggest involvement of senior officials and ministers. If this has reached anti-national hands, it’s a direct threat to state security,” he said.

Patole demanded that the government issue a clarification in the House by the end of the day, warning that the Opposition would otherwise intensify its agitation. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar acknowledged the matter and stated that the government should take note.

Outside the House, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule yesterday commented that the Home Department and police authorities may already be examining the claims. However, Yogesh Kadam’s statement today marked the first official government rejection of the charges.

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders alleged that several top officials had been filmed in compromising positions at a luxury hotel in Nashik. They claimed the footage was being used for blackmail and that at least 72 names had surfaced in preliminary findings. However, these claims remain unverified, and no formal complaints have been lodged.