Yathindra Siddaramaiah Accuses HD Kumaraswamy of Spreading Sting Video, Seeks Legal Action

Karnataka Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has accused Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of conspiring to damage the reputation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, citing developments in the ongoing investigation into the alleged sting operation video.

In a post on X, Yathindra referred to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh's statement that, based on the account of accused Ritesh Pandey, police conducted a mahazar at Kumaraswamy's official Delhi residence in connection with the investigation.

According to the police account, Pandey allegedly told investigators that he and Vinod Sharma purchased a mobile phone in Delhi on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad and subsequently handed it over to Prasad at Kumaraswamy's residence. The phone is suspected to have been used to upload the video.

Yathindra claimed the developments indicated that Kumaraswamy himself had circulated the sting video and demanded legal action against him. He also called for an investigation to identify those who conducted the sting operation and action against anyone found guilty.

However, police have said the accused's statements and technical evidence are still being verified, and the allegations do not by themselves establish Kumaraswamy's involvement.

Kumaraswamy has denied the reported claims concerning a police inspection or mahazar at his Delhi residence and accused the Karnataka government of spreading misleading information.

The controversy has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and JD(S), with competing allegations over the origins, recording and circulation of the purported sting video.