Siddaramaiah Sting Case: Police Trace Phone Handover to Kumaraswamy’s Delhi Residence

The mobile phone allegedly used in a sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was handed over to an individual at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy ’s official residence in Delhi, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday.

According to Singh, the phone was purchased from a shop in Delhi’s Karol Bagh by Vinod Sharma and arrested accused Ritesh Pandey, following instructions from Prajwal Prasad. The device was subsequently delivered to Prasad at Kumaraswamy’s residence, the commissioner said, citing Pandey’s statement.

Pandey, arrested on October 24, is the first accused held in connection with uploading a video of the alleged sting operation on social media. Police have issued notices to Sharma and Prasad, who are reportedly absconding and have approached a court seeking anticipatory bail. Investigators are examining financial transactions, CCTV footage and digital evidence to establish the roles and connections of those involved. Singh said it was too early to draw conclusions about Kumaraswamy’s involvement, adding that further details would emerge after the other accused were traced and questioned.

Reacting sharply, Kumaraswamy questioned the commissioner’s conduct and alleged that he was acting under someone’s influence. He accused the Congress government of using state machinery against him and claimed that the narrative surrounding the case was being constructed politically. The controversy follows the circulation of two YouTube videos containing serious allegations against Siddaramaiah. The Congress leader subsequently approached a court for an injunction restraining media reporting on the videos and filed a police complaint seeking an investigation.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the probe had yielded significant leads and that legal action would be taken against anyone found involved, irrespective of their position or influence.

Kharge also questioned why some individuals associated with Kumaraswamy had not cooperated with investigators. He said further action would be based on documentary and technical evidence collected during the investigation. Police had earlier described the allegations portrayed in the viral sting video as part of a fabricated narrative. The investigation remains underway, with no conclusive finding establishing Kumaraswamy’s direct involvement.