Congress leader Kripa Alva questioned in ‘sting operation’ case

Continuing its investigation into the alleged sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has questioned Congress leader Kripa Alva from Dakshina Kannada district.

Sources said Ms. Alva had appeared before the investigating officer on multiple occasions, with her latest appearance on Saturday. She was allowed to leave after her statement was recorded and has not been arrested, they added.

Ms. Alva was summoned for questioning after a video purportedly showing her with Rakesh Shetty, managing director of Power TV, went viral on social media, sources said.

The police have already arrested Ritesh Pandey, 22, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the case. He is currently out on bail.

Based on Mr. Pandey’s statement, the police are now searching for two other persons, including a former journalist, who are allegedly associated with the Janata Dal (Secular) IT cell. The duo had allegedly handed over a pendrive containing material related to the ‘sting operation’ to Mr. Pandey, sources said.