18 BJP MLAs suspended from Karnataka assembly for 6 Months over 'honey-trap' controversy | WATCH

Karnataka: A massive commotion in the Karnataka assembly resulted in 18 BJP MLAs being suspended, who were making demands for a judicial inquiry into the attempted "honey-trap" by a minister and other politicians. Opposition BJP and JD(S) disrupted the assembly on Friday, and speaker UT Khader suspended them for six months for showing "disrespect" to the Chair.

MLAs were dragged out of the house

Following Khader's directive, all the suspended MLAs were dragged out of the House. Karnataka minister MB Patil later justified suspending the MLAs, stating they committed all kinds of violations of the assembly. "Totally unbecoming of Members to behave like that.They did all possible violations in the Assembly.This (suspension) is 100% justified," Patil said. Earlier, BJP and JD(S) MLAs stormed into the well of the House, waving CDs and shouting slogans in protest, even as chief minister Siddaramaiah assured them of a high-level probe.

Honey-trap attempt to catch MLA's in the act

On Thursday, the cooperation minister KN Rajanna reported to the assembly that there was a honey-trap attempt to catch him in the act and at least 48 politicians across party lines fell prey to it. Reacting to the developments, Siddaramaiah expressed that no individual, no matter the position he holds, will be exempted from being made accountable. He guaranteed that the government would provide a thorough inquiry and take further action.

All Congress, BJP, and JD(S) members will be given protection

"Rajanna has made a statement regarding an attempt to honey-trap him. Home Minister G Parameshwara has already reacted, saying that there will be a high-level inquiry. Let Rajanna lodge a complaint. All Congress, BJP, and JD(S) members will be given protection. Those who have gone against the law should be punished accordingly," he said. An inquiry would be initiated to determine those involved in the honey-trap attempt, Siddaramaiah assured. "It is our duty to safeguard all state citizens. We will make a high-level probe." 

Parameshwara repeated that Rajanna had said he wanted to lodge a complaint

Home minister Parameshwara repeated that Rajanna had said he wanted to lodge a complaint and had asked for an inquiry but had not filed it yet."I have already promised the House that I would have the matter investigated. I am for a high-level inquiry. I will talk to the chief minister on the kind of investigation to be conducted and then decide accordingly, keeping in mind your proposals," he said to news agency 

But the opposition called for the government to explain the nature of the investigation and demanded a probe headed by a sitting high court judge, considering the high-profile character of the case.