Phone used in Siddaramaiah sting row videos handed over at Kumaraswamy’s residence: Police

The mobile phone allegedly used to upload videos targeting former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah was handed over to an associate at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s official residence in New Delhi, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday, November 1. The claim is based on the statement of an accused, and police said they are still verifying the details.

The Commissioner said Ritesh Pandey, who was arrested in Delhi on October 24, told investigators that he and Vinod Sharma bought the phone from a shop in Karol Bagh on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad. The two allegedly took the device to Kumaraswamy’s residence on Kushak Road and handed it over to Prajwal, who was present there.

“Arrested suspect Ritesh Pandey revealed that he and another person, Vinod Sharma, acted on the instructions of one Prajwal Prasad. This is as per Pandey’s statement. Both Prasad and Sharma are absconding and have moved anticipatory bail petitions,” Seemant said.

The commissioner said investigators were examining technical evidence, including CCTV footage and digital records, as well as financial transactions between Ritesh and Prajwal. Police have issued notices to Vinod and Prajwal, but neither has appeared for questioning. Seemant said further interrogation would be important to establish their roles and verify the sequence of events.

The case relates to a purported sting video, reportedly filmed in 2023 and recently aired by local television channels, linking Siddaramaiah to allegations of blackmail and a supposed honey-trap network. The case has drawn political attention after Siddaramaiah alleged that the purported sting operation was intended to blackmail him and damage his reputation. 

On October 29, the commissioner’s office said evidence gathered so far did not substantiate the alleged sexual abuse depicted in the video and described the narrative as “fabricated and deliberately constructed”.

A Bengaluru civil court granted an interim injunction restraining certain media organisations and digital platforms from broadcasting or publishing allegedly defamatory content and viral videos linking him to the sting operation.

The videos, which surfaced online in September and October, purportedly concerned an incident in 2011 but were allegedly recorded in 2023. Police are examining the circumstances in which the footage was made, how it was circulated and the roles of those involved.

Kumaraswamy on Sunday, November 2 accused the Bengaluru Police Commissioner of leaking confidential details of the investigation and alleged that the Congress government was targeting him. He said he would disclose details of the case on Monday.

“Is he a Police Commissioner or a head clerk? He has made statements in a manner worse than a head clerk. I know under whose influence he is working,” Kumaraswamy told reporters at an event in Bengaluru.

He questioned the direction of the investigation and said the developments would “boomerang” on those pursuing the case. “I will give complete details on Monday. I will explain who this sting operation is going to boomerang on. Nobody needs to be apprehensive about us,” he said.

Kumaraswamy also challenged the government’s handling of the case, insisting that neither the government nor its officials could intimidate him. He was responding to the police commissioner’s account of the alleged phone handover.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said investigators had technical evidence indicating that more than three people were involved in uploading and circulating the video. He alleged that those under investigation had links to Kumaraswamy and urged the Union minister to ask them to cooperate with the police.

“If Kumaraswamy is serious about this investigation and he wants the truth out, he should send his people to give a statement. Why are they hiding? Why are they seeking anticipatory bail if they're innocent?” Priyank said.

Priyank added that the investigation would proceed according to law and that anyone against whom sufficient evidence was found could be called for questioning, regardless of their position.