A woman who featured in a purported sting video targeting Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has told investigators that she never met him and made the recorded statements on the instructions of a group in 2023, police officials said.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB), which is probing the case following a complaint by the former chief minister, confirmed that the woman reiterated that she had no personal interaction with him. The case is being investigated by a team led by deputy commissioner of police, crime, Raja Imam Kasim P. Investigators have also examined the role of Ritesh Pandey, a Delhi-based man who was arrested on charges that he uploaded the video clip on the instructions of someone who was in the social media team of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was subsequently granted bail. “I have already discussed it with (general secretary) K.C. “What’s there in the sting operation?
Police registered the case on October 6 based on Siddaramaiah’s complaint, in which he alleged that individuals linked to a YouTube channel fabricated the video to blackmail him and tarnish his political reputation. Rakesh Shetty, who secured anticipatory bail on October 23, appeared before the police to record his statement.
She also told police that she met Rakesh Shetty, managing director of Power TV, and Kripa Alva, both of whom have been questioned in the case. Alva told investigators she teamed up with Shetty, who told her that he wanted to expose certain people. Venugopal,” he told reporters, dismissing the video as a fabrication. It is a false and fabricated story,” he said, reiterating that the police should conduct an impartial investigation.
Recovering the devices remains central to investigators seeking to establish who recorded the footage and who uploaded it.
“If these devices are not recovered before the charge sheet is filed in court, it could create serious difficulties for the case,” the officer added.
“Based on the information gathered from questioning him and others, we are continuing the investigation.
However, the non-recovery of the mobile phone and other crucial devices is proving to be a setback,” the officer said.
