Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy Seeks Arrest of Sting Operation Masterminds, Demands SIT Probe

Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) state president H D Kumaraswamy took to the streets of Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17, 2026, demanding the immediate arrest of those he says are behind an alleged sting operation against former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a high-level Special Investigation Team probe into the matter. The protest has escalated a political row that has gripped Karnataka for weeks.

March to Freedom Park and the DGP Office

Kumaraswamy led a foot march by JD(S) workers from the party headquarters to Freedom Park and then staged a protest outside the office of the Director General of Police. He subsequently met DG and IGP Dr M A Saleem, held discussions with him and submitted a written complaint. The protest came two days after he had staged a sit-in at the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's office and given the police two days to arrest the people he named. Security arrangements around the DGP's office were gradually eased after the protest ended.

Who Is Named in the Complaint

In the complaint, Kumaraswamy urged the police to immediately arrest Power TV owner and anchor Rakesh Shetty over the alleged sting operation involving a woman and videos targeting the former chief minister. He also named Bagepalli Prashanth, described as Shetty's associate, and Congress leader Krupa Alva, saying that they were directly involved. He described Shetty as a disruptive force who blackmails politicians, officials and entrepreneurs through sting operations to extract money. These are allegations made in a complaint and have not been tested in court, and the persons named have not been quoted in the reports.

The Legal Provisions Cited

The complaint seeks action under Sections 65, 66 and 67 of the Information Technology Act, along with a series of sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It alleges that the video, which was filmed in 2023 and recently broadcast, was edited and used for blackmail and extortion. The JD(S) representation also raised concerns about the woman featured in the video, claiming that she was recorded without her consent and pressured to make statements against Siddaramaiah. It demanded action against anyone found to have facilitated or protected the alleged activities.

Allegations Against the Chief Minister

Addressing supporters at Freedom Park, Kumaraswamy alleged that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Rakesh Shetty orchestrated the sting operation with the aim of forcing Siddaramaiah out of the Chief Minister's post. Earlier in the week, he had described Shivakumar as the "Sting Samrat of Karnataka" and claimed that the Congress high command had been misled. He also claimed that an attempt had been made to implicate him in the case. Shivakumar has said that attempts were made to trap him through sting operations as well and that he knows who is behind them, but he has not accepted Kumaraswamy's charges.

The Government's Position

The state government has said that an investigation is under way. Home Minister Priyank Kharge has asked Kumaraswamy to give any evidence to the police or the courts, and he has ruled out a CBI inquiry. Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and described the video as a deliberate attempt to defame him. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner, after the earlier protest, had assured Kumaraswamy that all those suspected of involvement would be questioned, which led him to call off the sit-in.

Warning of Wider Protests

Kumaraswamy alleged that the police were targeting JD(S) workers instead of investigating the mastermind behind the video, and he warned that the party would launch statewide protests if the police failed to act immediately. He also questioned why Siddaramaiah had remained silent on what he called a conspiracy against him. The JD(S), along with its ally the BJP, is using the issue to attack the Congress government, and the continuing protests ensure that the controversy remains in the headlines.

How the investigation proceeds will determine whether the allegations lead to any arrests or whether the row remains largely political. For now, the demand for an SIT probe has become a central rallying point for the opposition.

This report is based on published news coverage and statements attributed to the individuals involved. The allegations have not been independently verified, and those named are presumed innocent.