Sting Operation Scandal: HD Kumaraswamy Claims Conspiracy by Karnataka Govt
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy claims a conspiracy by the Karnataka government after police link a sting operation phone to his Delhi home.
The political atmosphere in Karnataka has reached a boiling point as Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has openly accused the state government of orchestrating a conspiracy to frame him. This escalation comes amidst a high-profile investigation into a viral sting operation video that allegedly implicates former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in sexual misconduct.
The Technical Link to New Delhi
The controversy took a sharp turn when Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh revealed critical findings from the technical investigation. According to the Commissioner, a mobile phone used to execute the alleged sting operation has been traced back to the New Delhi residence of the Union Minister.
The police have already arrested a suspect named Ritesh Pandey. During interrogation, Pandey reportedly confessed that the device in question was purchased in Delhi's Karol Bagh area. The phone was then allegedly delivered to Prajwal Prasad, who, along with another individual named Vinod Sharma, is said to be part of HD Kumaraswamy’s social media team.
Currently, both Prajwal Prasad and Vinod Sharma are absconding, and the police are actively pursuing them. To solidify the case, authorities are now meticulously analyzing CCTV footage and financial records.
Government vs. Opposition: The War of Words
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has remained firm on the police findings, describing the evidence as "hard, technical, and irrefutable." Kharge emphasized that the law would take its course and the investigation would proceed against everyone involved, regardless of their political stature or position.
However, HD Kumaraswamy has dismissed these claims as a politically motivated vendetta designed to tarnish his image. He alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge are behind a plot to malign him.
"We are not afraid of this. Our party has the strength to face this," Kumaraswamy told reporters, asserting that the state government is intentionally pushing the investigation toward the JD(S) despite the nature of the suspects' confessions.What Happens Next?
The sting operation, which first became public in September 2026, has created a deep rift in the state's political landscape. While the investigation focuses on the origin of the video, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained that the footage is fabricated and was created solely to damage his reputation.
In a bid to clear his name and counter the government's narrative, HD Kumaraswamy has announced a major press conference scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026. The Union Minister has promised to reveal "full details" and make significant "revelations" regarding the ongoing investigation.