DK Shivakumar alleges industrialist targeted him, VD Satheesan with Meta glasses

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that an industrialist attempted to conduct a sting operation on him and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan. He claimed both Congress leaders were targeted, while no similar attempt was made against BJP leaders or chief ministers of NDA-ruled states.

Speaking to Kannada news channel Asianet Suvarna News, Shivakumar said the visitor’s Meta smart glasses and sudden shift from business to political discussions made him suspicious of a possible recording attempt.

The industrialist had secured an appointment through officials and initially discussed business matters with Shivakumar. However, the conversation later turned to politics, including booth-level strategies and electoral calculations, prompting the Chief Minister to question the visitor’s intentions.

“I asked my officials to conduct a small enquiry on the background of the industrialist,” Shivakumar said.

He said the information gathered during the inquiry suggested that the industrialist had worn the same Meta glasses during a meeting with Satheesan but not during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or a Union minister.

“He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and Satheesan,” Shivakumar alleged.

The Chief Minister did not identify the industrialist or publicly provide evidence establishing that either meeting had been recorded. He said, however, that he had information about individuals who could be involved and had maintained records of the episode.

Asked why no action had been taken against those allegedly involved, Shivakumar said authorities had taken precautionary measures but would not disclose further details.

“Who said action wasn't sought? You just don't know, that's all. We are not disclosing it, that's all. We have taken all precautionary measures,” he said.

Shivakumar also said he had warned his Cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant against attempts to entrap them through personal assistants, telephone calls or other channels.

“As the head of the government, which is like a family, I have to tell the Cabinet ministers to be conscious and not get fooled,” he said.

He added that he would disclose further information when the time was appropriate, saying he had kept records related to the incident.

The allegations come amid an ongoing political controversy over purported sting-operation videos linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress and opposition parties have traded accusations over who was behind the recordings and their motives.

Siddaramaiah has described the case as false and said he filed a complaint to bring the matter to public attention. He said he served as Chief Minister for eight years without experiencing such incidents.

“I was Chief Minister for eight years. Nothing like this happened in the past, but now it is happening. I have filed a complaint so that people should know that this is a false case,” Siddaramaiah said.

He also rejected the suggestion that he could be blackmailed, saying, “I have no power now to be blackmailed. I wasn't blackmailed in the past when I was in power,” he said.