A mobile phone purchase in Delhi has emerged as a key lead in the Bengaluru police probe into the alleged sting video targeting Siddaramaiah. An arrested accused has claimed that the purchase was made on the instructions of a member of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy's social media team.Ritesh Pandey, arrested in Delhi, allegedly told investigators that he purchased a mobile phone from a shop in Karol Bagh along with Vinod Sharma, on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad, who works with Kumaraswamy's social media team.According to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, the two men later went to Kumaraswamy's residence on Kushak Road in Delhi and handed over the phone to Prasad.The Commissioner stressed that these claims are based on Pandey's statement and are being verified. "All these statements are subject to verification and further investigation," Singh said, adding that further questioning of Prasad and Sharma would be crucial to the probe.Police have issued notices to both men, but they have not responded and are reportedly absconding.
Investigators have also learnt that they have applied for anticipatory bail.POLICE EXAMINING CCTV, FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS Investigators are examining CCTV footage, technical intelligence and financial transactions between Prasad and Pandey to verify the arrested accused's account.Police said the original mobile phone allegedly used to record the video has been traced, recovered and seized. It has been sent for forensic examination, with the report awaited.The investigation has also established that the video was uploaded to multiple social media platforms through anonymous accounts using methods such as virtual private networks (VPNs), masked IP addresses and spoofed phone numbers.Police have been working to reconstruct the chain of possession of the video, from its alleged recording in 2023 to its circulation online in September and October 2026.POLICE CALLS ALLEGATIONS IN VIDEO FABRICATEDIn a statement issued on October 29, Bengaluru police said the allegations of sexual abuse portrayed in the video appeared to be part of a "fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative".The video allegedly concerned an incident dating back to 2011.
Police said the individuals appearing in it had been identified and questioned, and the evidence collected so far did not substantiate the allegations. The alleged sting video was posted on social media, prompting Siddaramaiah to seek a court injunction against its publication and transmission.
He also filed a police complaint.Siddaramaiah had named Kripa Alva, who was seeking a Congress ticket from Puttur, as being behind the operation, while his son and Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah had alleged the involvement of some Congress leaders.Police have arrested several people in connection with the case, including members of the JD(S) social media team. A 22-year-old man from Delhi was earlier arrested for uploading the video.Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) second-in-command, has alleged that police were targeting innocent party workers while allowing the alleged masterminds to go free.Police have appealed to the public and media to avoid circulating unverified claims or drawing premature conclusions while the investigation is underway.- Ends