The sting operation controversy in Karnataka exploded on Sunday with the heat reaching the doors of Union Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy. The Union Minister on his part has accused the state government of attempting to frame him.
The Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh on Sunday said that the mobile phone allegedly used in the sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was purchased in Delhi and handed over to a person named Prajwal Prasad at the official residence of Kumaraswamy in the national capital. “He should have asked them to cooperate with the investigation. Why is he not doing so,” he asked. In October, Kumaraswamy had alleged that senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah was forced to step down as chief minister after Shivakumar threatened to release videos produced by sting operations. Recently, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had also warned his Cabinet colleagues that some people may be out to get them through sting operations. The Opposition had demanded investigation into the CM’s allegations.
The Union Minister rejected the allegations, saying that neither the state government “nor its officers can touch him”. Meanwhile, state Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the investigation into the matter was progressing and that technical evidence and several significant leads had emerged. He said strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved, irrespective of their influence or position. Questioning the absence of certain individuals from the investigation, the minister said some people who had worked with Kumaraswamy and his close associates had not appeared before investigators. Accusing Kumaraswamy of indulging in what he termed as “dirty politics” against AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah, the minister said the investigation was far from over. “This is just the trailer; the movie is yet to come,” he remarked.
