Priyank Kharge rules out CBI probe into alleged sting operation, says Karnataka police will investigate

Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) ruled out a CBI probe into the alleged sting operation, asserting that the Karnataka Police were capable of investigating the matter.

In his reaction to Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy’s allegations that the sting operation was part of a conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and could be linked to attempts to force him out of office, Mr. Kharge said the State police would investigate the alleged sting operation and identify those responsible.

On Mr. Kumaraswamy’s demand for a CBI inquiry, Mr. Kharge questioned the need for a central agency to investigate the matter and asked, “Why is a CBI inquiry needed in this case? What is the cause of action?”

He claimed that the CBI had yet to complete two or three cases entrusted to it and was seeking personnel from the State to carry out the investigations. The Karnataka Police, he said, were capable of handling the case and ensuring that the truth emerged in accordance with the law. “This is also part of a conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of Siddaramaiah,” Mr Kharge told reporters here.

On Tuesday, Mr. Siddaramaiah obtained an interim injunction from a Bengaluru court restraining the publication and circulation of a video he alleged was defamatory. He has denied any connection with the video and described its circulation as a politically motivated attempt at character assassination. He has also sought an impartial police investigation into the matter.

Probe into police action on anti-CEC

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh reportedly met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday (October 14) to discuss the issue.

Asked about the progress of the investigation, Mr. Kharge said a complaint had been filed and the police would investigate the matter. “We will expose those responsible,” he said.

However, he declined to disclose details of the investigation. “We cannot discuss with the media the direction in which the investigation is proceeding, the stage it has reached, what we are doing or why we are doing it,” he said.

‘Unbecoming of a CM’

Mr. Kharge also criticised Mr. Kumaraswamy for alleging that the sting operation was part of an attempt by Mr. Shivakumar and Mr. Siddaramaiah to target former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s family politically.

Describing the remarks as unbecoming of a Union Minister, Mr Kharge said, “Whatever the former Chief Minister and current Union Minister is saying is below his dignity.”

Referring to the controversy surrounding former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence in a rape case, Mr. Kharge questioned whether the Congress was responsible for the videos involving members of the Revanna family or the legal consequences that followed.

Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy also criticised Mr. Kumaraswamy and alleged that “it is the JD(S) people who conduct all kinds of sting operations; no one else would do such a thing.” Now, they are speaking about Siddaramaiah with sympathy – a sympathy that was nowhere to be found when he was ousted from the party,” he said sarcastically.