Sting Operation Trail Leads To Kumaraswamy’s Doorstep

The investigation into the alleged sting operation targeting Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken a new turn, with Bengaluru Police tracing a mobile phone linked to the case to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s official residence in Delhi. The development has brought the JD(S) leader’s office into the spotlight, although police are still verifying the claims.

According to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, an accused named Ritesh Pandey told investigators that he purchased a mobile phone from a shop in Delhi’s Karol Bagh along with Vinod Sharma. He claimed that the purchase was made on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad, who is associated with Kumaraswamy’s social media team.

Police said Pandey and Sharma later went to Kumaraswamy’s official residence on Kushak Road and handed over the phone to Prajwal Prasad. However, the Commissioner clarified that these details are based on the accused’s statement and are yet to be independently verified. Investigators are also examining the role of the people involved in the alleged phone exchange.

Police have issued notices to Prajwal Prasad and Vinod Sharma, but both have reportedly not appeared before the investigating officers. They are also said to have approached legal channels seeking anticipatory bail. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, technical evidence and financial transactions to verify the claims made by Pandey.

The investigation is also looking into how the alleged sting video was recorded and later circulated on social media. Police have recovered the phone suspected to have been used to record the original footage and sent it for forensic examination. The device allegedly used to upload the video is a separate phone.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy has denied reports that Karnataka Police searched or inspected his official residence in Delhi. His office alleged that selective leaks were being used to create a misleading narrative and damage reputations. The minister has demanded accountability from those responsible for spreading such information.

Earlier, Bengaluru Police said the allegations of sexual abuse portrayed in the video appeared to be part of a fabricated narrative. According to the police, the evidence collected so far did not substantiate the incident depicted in the footage. The investigation is continuing to establish who was behind the alleged operation and how the video reached social media platforms.