Siddaramaiah Files Complaint Over Alleged Sting Operation Conspiracy

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has filed a police complaint and secured a Bengaluru civil court injunction restraining 42 media organizations from circulating footage from a sting operation. Siddaramaiah describes the material as fabricated and part of a systematic conspiracy to blackmail and defame him. His son, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, alleged that Congress party insiders orchestrated the plot to destroy his father's 40-year political legacy, possibly to secure a party ticket for the Puttur Assembly constituency.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated that state agencies are investigating the matter, which he characterized as a case of extortion. Kharge noted the material reportedly dates back to 2011, was recorded in 2023, and emerged in 2026, criticizing the unethical use of smart glasses to covertly record senior officials. He asserted that a charge sheet will be filed once the source of the upload is traced.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has demanded a CBI probe, accusing Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of conspiring with a journalist to trap Siddaramaiah. The state government has denied these claims. While the Congress party initially blamed external actors, internal tensions have risen as Yathindra Siddaramaiah specifically pointed to party members, including a woman associated with the party, as the architects of the operation.