Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy has intensified his criticism of the Karnataka government's handling of the alleged sting operation case and said he and party leaders met the Director General of Police (DGP) and submitted a memorandum seeking fair action.
Kumaraswamy said the party had already given Bengaluru's City Police Commissioner two days to take appropriate action but was dissatisfied with the progress. He said the investigation was not fair and argued that political considerations could be influencing the process.
The remarks are coming on the heels of ongoing political tension over a purported sting operation by former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and claims that party workers are being targeted during the police investigation.
Kumaraswamy Seeks Fair Investigation
According to Kumaraswamy, he and JD(S) leaders approached the Karnataka DGP to express their concerns and formally submit a memorandum regarding the case.
He said the party had earlier met Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and given the authorities two days to act fairly. But Kumaraswamy said no satisfactory action had been taken, which led the delegation to approach the state's senior police leadership again.
The JD(S) leader has repeatedly called for a transparent investigation and questioned whether the police are really focusing on the people who are alleged to be behind the sting operation.
Allegations of Political Interference
Kumaraswamy claimed that the way the investigation was progressing raised suspicions of political interference. He claimed that a plan could be taking shape under the direction of the Chief Minister, but he did not present publicly verified evidence establishing that allegation in the quoted remarks.
Such allegations add to the political tension between the JD(S) and the ruling Congress government in Karnataka.
Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has said the investigation has been left to the Home Department. The government has maintained that the police are handling the matter, while Home Minister Priyank Kharge ruled out calls for a CBI investigation.
The competing reports have made the alleged sting operation a political issue in the state.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy says, "Today, once again, our party leaders and I met the DGP of Karnataka. We submitted a memorandum regarding the developments in the sting operation case...Two days ago, when we met the City Police Commissioner, we also gave them two days to take the necessary action fairly. However, nothing has happened. That is why we met the DGP again today along with our leaders and explained everything. The way the investigation is proceeding, it seems that they are secretly preparing a blueprint under the direction of the Chief Minister. We are not bothered about all these things...After the Vijayadashami festival, we will sit together and decide our next course of action..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2026
What is the Sting Operation Controversy?
The controversy centers on videos and accusations about Siddaramaiah and other political leaders. The material was collected but a police investigation followed into the creation of the material and its distribution.
Kumaraswamy claims the authorities are targeting JD(S) social media workers while demanding action against those he believes were involved in the alleged operation. He also wants an independent investigation.
These are claims. The investigation has not established the larger political conspiracy alleged by Kumaraswamy, and the people charged in the political exchanges should not be considered guilty without the evidence.
JD(S) to Decide Its Next Course of Action
After the Vijayadashami festival, Kumaraswamy said his party would hold discussions to decide its next steps. Party leaders will consider how to respond to what they feel has been insufficient progress on the case, he said.
If the party has already threatened more political action in the future (including protests) if its demands are not met, it has also suggested to its members to go through protests.
The next decision will be based on the discussions among JD(S) leaders and the police investigation. The party wants to be held accountable and has a process it believes it has to establish the facts without political influence.
Kumaraswamy’s latest statement indicates that the dispute is continuing. Whether the memorandum will lead to more police action or the JD(S) will continue to hold protests remains to be seen.
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