News Desk: A Bengaluru court is set to hear the anticipatory bail application of Rakesh Shetty, a news channel head facing investigation in connection with an alleged sting operation targeting Karnataka Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
According to police, Shetty was taken into custody from a hotel in Mysuru on Wednesday night and brought to Bengaluru for questioning early on Thursday. He had reportedly been staying at the hotel for four days. After questioning him, investigators asked him to appear for further interrogation. The hearing on his anticipatory bail plea was adjourned to Friday.
The Karnataka Cyber Crime Division has been investigating the case over the past week after Siddaramaiah filed a complaint concerning the purported sting operation and the circulation of a related video.
Earlier this month, Siddaramaiah approached the court seeking restrictions on media organisations publishing details of or broadcasting videos allegedly connected to the operation. The former chief minister claimed that the videos circulating on social media were part of a false propaganda campaign intended to damage his reputation.
The controversy has also triggered a political dispute within Karnataka. Union minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy alleged that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had used the purported sting operation to pressure Siddaramaiah into stepping down from the chief minister's post.
Kumaraswamy claimed that Siddaramaiah had been summoned to Delhi for discussions on a Cabinet expansion but was instead confronted with allegedly compromising material obtained through the operation. He also alleged that a media organisation and members of the ruling Congress leadership were involved in the matter.
Kumaraswamy demanded Shetty's arrest and called for a special investigation team to probe the alleged conspiracy. He also submitted complaints to senior police officers, identifying Shetty as a key person behind the purported operation.
Shivakumar has rejected the allegations against him. He said attempts had also been made to target him through sting operations after he became chief minister. He further claimed to possess photographs and documents identifying people allegedly involved and cautioned Cabinet colleagues and government officials to remain alert.
Siddaramaiah stepped down as chief minister in May, saying he had acted on the directions of the Congress leadership. However, he stated that he would continue to remain active in Karnataka politics.
The leadership transition had followed months of speculation over the chief minister's position, with tensions between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continuing after the Congress won the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023.
The allegations surrounding the sting operation remain under investigation. The court's consideration of Shetty's anticipatory bail application is the next significant development in the case.
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