A media consultant reportedly associated with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy's office appeared before the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch's cybercrime police for questioning over the circulation of alleged sting videos targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.Prajwal Prasad appeared at the CCB headquarters on Tuesday after investigators issued him a notice. He had reportedly been absconding before securing interim anticipatory bail, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing officials.According to officials, the police were trying to establish Prasad's role in the case and identify those behind him.Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday that the mobile phone allegedly used to upload the videos on social media was bought in New Delhi and handed over to Prasad at Kumaraswamy's official residence in the national capital.
According to the statement of arrested accused Ritesh Pandey, the phone was handed over on Prasad's instructions, Singh said. Pandey and a person identified as Vinod Sharma allegedly bought the phone from a shop in Delhi's Karol Bagh and later gave it to Prasad at the minister's official residence.Pandey, a Delhi resident, was arrested on October 24 for allegedly uploading the videos on social media.
He was the first person arrested in the case. CCB officials apprehended him in Delhi and brought him to Bengaluru for questioning.
Two videos containing serious allegations against Siddaramaiah were reportedly uploaded on YouTube in September. The Congress leader later approached a court and obtained an injunction restraining the media from reporting on the videos.
He also filed a police complaint seeking an investigation.Bengaluru police said last week that the sexual abuse allegations shown in the viral sting video targeting Siddaramaiah were part of a fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative. The investigation is examining Prasad's alleged role and the circumstances surrounding the purchase and use of the phone said to have been used to upload the videos.- Ends