Siddaramaiah 'sting operation’: Police say 'fabricated and deliberately constructed'
Police said that all individuals appearing in the video have been identified and extensively examined, some on multiple occasions.
The Bengaluru Police, investigating the alleged sting video linked to Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday (October 29) said that the allegation of sex abuse “is part of a fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative”.
The police also said that “highly politically connected individuals” in Delhi may be linked to the video’s circulation.
“The evidence gathered so far prima facie indicates that the allegations of sexual abuse portrayed in the video is part of a fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative. The statements recorded and evidence collected during the investigation thus far do not substantiate the occurrence of any such incident as depicted in the video,” the police said in a statement.
Individuals identified
Police said that all individuals appearing in the video have been identified and extensively examined, some on multiple occasions.
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"Their statements and the evidence collected so far, prima facie, with regard to the allegations made or implied in the recording about any individuals mentioned in the video, is false and concocted," the statement said.
However, the police have not revealed who they believe was the key person behind the alleged sting operation.
Siddaramaiah is reportedly unhappy with the developments and the police’s handling of the case. He is also said to be considering approaching Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to express his displeasure over his successor CM DK Shivakumar’s handling of the matter.
The police investigation is now focused not only on the authenticity and origin of the video but also on who created, facilitated, uploaded and amplified it, and whether it was part of a coordinated attempt to malign individuals holding positions of responsibility in Karnataka and trigger political controversy.
Siddaramaiah’s son and Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has referred to the names of people allegedly connected to the inclusion of Congress leader Kripa Alva and television journalist Rakesh Shetty in the recording.
Arrests made
In a recent statement, Yathindra said that both Alva and Shetty had made statements before the police. However, the latest Bengaluru City Police statement note does not mention either of them by name or provide details of their statements, saying only that all individuals appearing in the video have been identified and extensively examined, with some questioned multiple times.
The political backdrop to the investigation is equally significant. JD (S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that the episode was part of a conspiracy aimed at targeting Siddaramaiah and ultimately removing him from the Chief Minister’s post a few months ago. Siddaramaiah has also spoken about the alleged blackmailing episode and demanded that those responsible be identified and arrested.
The alleged sting operation video was posted on a social media platform, compelling Siddaramaiah to obtain an injunction from a court against the airing, transmitting and publishing it. He had also lodged a police complaint in this regard.
Police arrested a few individuals, including the social media team members of JD(S).