Mumbai: A few days ago, during the Assembly session, the honeytrap matter came to light and left the state shocked. More than 70 current and former bureaucrats and ministers are allegedly involved in the case.
Khadse Makes Explosive Claim in Assembly
While the scandal is being widely discussed across the state, former minister Eknath Khadse has made a sensational claim. He said that a person named Praful Lodha, 62, knows everything about the honeytrap case. He also demanded that the matter be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Lodha, a resident of Jamner in Jalgaon, is known to be very close to BJP leader Girish Mahajan, the Minister of Water Resources and Disaster Management. Lodha is involved in real estate contracts, runs a gas agency, and operates a few other businesses.
Praful Lodha Faces Three FIRs
Meanwhile, after the honeytrap matter came to light, the police registered three back-to-back cases against Lodha in Mumbai and Pune and subsequently arrested him. As the Assembly session continued, Lodha remained in custody, and neither the opposition leaders nor the media could reach him.
The opposition alleges that Lodha has crucial evidence related to the honeytrap case, and hence under the direction of the Home Ministry, the police promptly took action against him.
Serious Allegations Under POCSO and IPC
On July 3, the Sakinaka police registered a case against Lodha under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. In this case, the police alleged that Lodha had kidnapped two 16-year-old girls, kept them in his custody at a hotel in Andheri East, and allegedly recorded objectionable photos and videos of them, threatening to blackmail them.
Devices Seized, But No CDs Found
The Sakinaka police arrested him on July 5. While he was in police custody, the police raided his residence and related premises, seizing laptops, mobile phones, pen drives, and other items. However, no CDs (Which the opposition refers to) were found, and his police custody was nearing its end.
Afterwards, another rape case was filed against Lodha at the MIDC police station on July 14. In this case, the police allege that Lodha had promised a job to a 19-year-old woman and then raped her. He has been booked under charges of cheating and rape.
The MIDC police took custody of Lodha from the Sakinaka police and continued his remand. Investigations are underway, including examination of his properties in Jalgaon, Jamner, and Pahur. Police have also seized his laptop, pen drives, and other electronic devices.
Opposition Cries Political Cover-Up
While opposition leaders created an uproar over a honeytrap in the Assembly, Lodha’s police custody in the Sakinaka case was nearing its end. A third case was registered against him on July 17 at Bavdhan Police Station in Pune, under the Pimpri-Chinchwad police commissioner jurisdiction.
In this case, a 36-year-old woman known to Lodha alleged that he contacted her on May 27, 2025, and threatened her, stating that if her husband wanted a job, she would have to establish physical relations with him. She later met him at a hotel, where he allegedly raped her. After nearly two months, she filed a police complaint.
The very next day, on July 18, the Assembly session concluded. Since Lodha was in police custody during the session, the opposition and the media could not contact him.
CM Fadnavis Denies Political Motive
On the last day of the Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Lodha has photos with many leaders. The opposition is making baseless allegations. I do not have time to respond to such evidence-less matters. When I was in the opposition, I never made allegations without proof, and I never withdrew my statements. I never submitted any fake evidence, which is the duty of a responsible opposition leader.”
Lodha Remains in Judicial Custody
Currently, Lodha is in 14-day judicial custody, and the Bavdhan police have not taken his custody yet. According to sources, Lodha was in contact with several leaders, especially with an individual associated with the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund.
Khadse's Family Also in Spotlight
Lodha’s cases indicate that someone in power may be trying to protect certain individuals. Meanwhile, after the honeytrap matter, Eknath Khadse's son-in-law's alleged drug case has come to light.
