HD Kumaraswamy Hits Bengaluru Streets: Demands Arrests in 'Political' Sting Operation
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy leads a JD(S) march in Bengaluru demanding the arrest of those behind a sting operation targeting Siddaramaiah.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, took his grievances to the streets of Bengaluru on Saturday, leading a massive JD(S) foot march to demand the immediate arrest of individuals allegedly involved in a controversial sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
From Party HQ to Freedom Park
The demonstration began at JP Bhavan, the JD(S) headquarters in Sheshadripuram, as Kumaraswamy led a large contingent of party workers and leaders toward the DGP's office on Nrupathunga Road. The march was marked by tension as police personnel repeatedly attempted to halt the procession. Despite these efforts, the protesters pushed forward until they were eventually blocked by buses and barricades near Freedom Park, where the demonstration continued.
This public outcry follows a formal complaint filed by Kumaraswamy at the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's office two days prior. Having given the authorities a 48-hour window to make arrests, the Union Minister convened a party meeting and decided on the march after no action was taken.
Allegations of a Political Conspiracy
Addressing the crowd at Freedom Park, HD Kumaraswamy leveled serious accusations against the state administration. He alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Rakesh Shetty orchestrated the sting operation with a specific political motive: to force Siddaramaiah out of the Chief Minister's post.
Kumaraswamy claimed that Shivakumar had held multiple meetings with Shetty, whom he described as someone using journalism as a mask for blackmail. He pointed out that Shetty had reportedly admitted on his own news channel that the voice in the footage belonged to him and that he was the one who recorded the video.
"My fight is not personal. I will intensify this agitation after the Vijayadashami festival," Kumaraswamy declared.
The Gravity of the Complaint
Following the protest, Kumaraswamy met with Director General of Police Saleem to submit a formal complaint signed by JD(S) legislators and MLCs, led by Legislature Party leader CB Suresh Babu. The complaint outlines several alarming claims regarding a video circulating on social media:
- Privacy Violations: It is alleged that Rakesh Shetty, posing as a journalist, secretly recorded a woman without her consent, violating her fundamental right to privacy under Article 21.
- Sexual Exploitation Claims: The video allegedly contains a woman speaking about exploitation for sexual purposes involving a political leader.
- Coercion and Bribery: The complaint alleges the woman was pressured to appear before the media and was offered financial assistance if she spoke publicly to seek revenge against Siddaramaiah.
- Manipulation: The conversation in the video was reportedly in English, with an intermediary using Tulu, Malayalam, and English to steer the narrative to damage Siddaramaiah's reputation.
A Pattern of Blackmail?
The JD(S) leader further alleged that this is not an isolated incident. The complaint suggests that Rakesh Shetty has a history of using fabricated stories and fake videos to extort money from influential businessmen, officials, and politicians across various party lines. It claims that Shetty withheld the video from authorities for years, using it as a tool for threats and financial gain.
Kumaraswamy has warned the state government that any further inaction regarding the arrest of Rakesh Shetty, Bagepalli Prashanth, and Congress leader Krupa Alva will lead to statewide protests.