The Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) has questioned Prajwal Prasad, a media consultant reportedly associated with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy's office, in connection with alleged sting videos targeting Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Prasad appeared at the CCB headquarters on Tuesday after investigators issued him a notice. He had reportedly been absconding before securing interim anticipatory bail. Police are examining his alleged role in the circulation of the videos and attempting to identify others who may have been involved.
According to officials, the investigation is focused on establishing who arranged the videos' circulation and how the mobile phone allegedly used to upload them was obtained and transferred.
Police Trace Mobile Phone Bought in Delhi
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the mobile phone allegedly used to upload the videos on social media was purchased in New Delhi and handed over to Prasad at Kumaraswamy's official residence.
According to Singh, this information emerged from the statement of arrested accused Ritesh Pandey. Pandey allegedly said that the phone was handed over to Prasad on his instructions.
Police claim Pandey and another person identified as Vinod Sharma purchased the device from a shop in Delhi's Karol Bagh before delivering it to Prasad.
Pandey, a Delhi resident, was arrested on October 24. He was the first accused to be apprehended in the case. CCB officials detained him in Delhi and brought him to Bengaluru for questioning.
Two Videos Targeted Siddaramaiah
The controversy began after two videos containing serious allegations against Siddaramaiah were reportedly uploaded on YouTube in September.
The Congress leader subsequently approached a court and obtained an injunction restraining the media from reporting on the videos. He also filed a police complaint seeking an investigation into their circulation.
Bengaluru Police said last week that the sexual abuse allegations presented in the viral sting video were part of what they described as a fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative.
Investigation Examines Alleged Roles and Video Circulation
Investigators are now examining Prasad's alleged involvement, the phone's purchase and transfer, and the circumstances surrounding the online publication of the videos.
Police are also attempting to establish whether other individuals coordinated the alleged operation and determine the roles played by those named during the investigation.
The allegations and the suspected roles of the individuals involved remain subject to investigation. The questioning of Prasad is part of the ongoing effort to establish how the videos were created and circulated.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem