Bengaluru Police is preparing to search the Delhi residence of JD(S) leader and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, in connection with the sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) Member, Siddaramaiah, police said on Wednesday.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner, Seemant Kumar Singh, has held a meeting with senior police officials to discuss the future course of action in the investigation.
The proposed search comes after Prajwal Prasad, Kumaraswamy’s social media public relations representative, appeared before the Investigating Officers and recorded his statement.
It can be noted that Prajwal Prasad, who allegedly works for the social media team of H.D. Kumaraswamy, appeared before the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in Bengaluru on Tuesday in connection with the investigation into the fabricated sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
During questioning, Prasad reportedly pleaded innocence, claiming that he came to know about the incident only through social media. He also told the police that he did not know Ritesh Kumar Pandey.
The police have seized Prasad’s mobile phone and sent it for forensic examination as part of the investigation.
The CCB had issued a notice to Prajwal Prasad, who is accused of handing over a mobile phone to content creator Ritesh Kumar Pandey at Kumaraswamy’s official residence in New Delhi. Prasad, who has obtained interim bail from a court, appeared before the Investigating Officers on Tuesday morning.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh had said the mobile phone allegedly used to upload the sting operation video was purchased in Delhi and brought to Union Minister Kumaraswamy’s official residence on Kushak Road.
According to the police investigation, Ritesh Pandey, who was arrested in New Delhi by Bengaluru City Police, disclosed that he had purchased the mobile phone in Karol Bagh along with Vinod Sharma, allegedly on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad, who is stated to be associated with Kumaraswamy’s social media team.
The device was subsequently brought to Kumaraswamy’s official residence and allegedly handed over to Prajwal Prasad.
Meanwhile, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Welfare, Shivaraj Tangadagi, on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Kumaraswamy over his statements on the sting operation case.
Tangadagi questioned Kumaraswamy’s claim that injustice was being done to Siddaramaiah in connection with the case and asked whether his continued statements and alleged propaganda would benefit the former Chief Minister.
He alleged that the sting operation had been publicised through Kumaraswamy’s office and questioned what guarantee there was that the Union Minister had not been involved in carrying it out. He accused Kumaraswamy of being behind the episode and shedding crocodile tears.
Tangadagi further alleged that Kumaraswamy was attempting to create internal differences within the Congress by driving a wedge between Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“The video was uploaded and publicised by Kumaraswamy. He has admitted to it. Is it not shameful for a former Chief Minister to indulge in such activities?” Tangadagi asked.
–IANS
