Siddaramaiah Sting Video a 'Fabricated Narrative', Rules Bengaluru Police
Bengaluru Police reveal that the viral sting video targeting former CM Siddaramaiah was a constructed narrative. Read the full investigation details.
The Bengaluru City Police have delivered a major blow to the claims surrounding a viral sting video targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In an official announcement on Wednesday, October 29, 2026, authorities declared that the footage is not a genuine exposé but rather a fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative designed to mislead the public.
The Police Investigation Unfolds
Following a complaint filed by Siddaramaiah on October 6, 2026, the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, launched a comprehensive inquiry. The probe focused on every stage of the video's lifecycle—from its initial recording and possession to its eventual transfer and dissemination across social media.
According to the police, all individuals appearing in the recording have been identified and subjected to multiple rounds of interrogation. The evidence gathered during these sessions strongly suggests that the allegations made within the video are entirely false.
Digital Footprints and Forensic Evidence
Investigators managed to recover the mobile phone allegedly used to record the footage back in 2023, which has now been submitted for detailed forensic analysis. The technical investigation revealed a sophisticated attempt to hide the origin of the video's distribution.
The police found that the content was spread across platforms such as X and YouTube between September and October 2026. To evade detection, the uploaders used VPNs and masked IP addresses. However, digital traces indicate that the activity originated from locations outside the borders of Karnataka.
Key Arrests and Testimonies
The investigation has pointed toward the involvement of politically connected individuals based in New Delhi. A significant breakthrough occurred on October 24, 2026, with the arrest of Ritesh Pandey, a Delhi resident accused of uploading the content. Pandey has since been granted conditional bail.
In a startling revelation, the woman featured in the sting video reportedly testified that she had never actually met the former Chief Minister. She claimed she was specifically instructed to make the false allegations during the recording in 2023.
Meanwhile, Rakesh Shetty, the Managing Director of Power TV, who was also alleged to be involved in the matter, secured anticipatory bail on October 23, 2026.
Political Fallout and Legal Battles
Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained that the video was a tool for blackmail and a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation. To prevent further spread of the footage, he successfully obtained a civil court injunction against its publication.
However, the police findings have not silenced all critics. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) has openly challenged the validity of the Bengaluru Police probe, demanding that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a fresh inquiry.