Increased Security at Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s Office Amid Sting Operation Fallout

Bengaluru, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : In Bengaluru, police have heightened security around the Police Commissioner’s office following a sting operation connected to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The operation has implicated Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, leading to concerns of potential protests by supporters of the Janata Dal (Secular) party.

According to police sources, two platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and over 50 officers have been deployed at the Commissioner’s office. JD(S) activists have expressed their anger on social media regarding the situation, prompting the police to bolster security measures. A police bus has also been stationed nearby to transport any groups that gather in the area.

Officers have been instructed to detain anyone attempting to disrupt order or engage in illegal protests near the Commissioner’s office. Meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch (CCB), which is investigating the sting operation, has intensified its scrutiny of a mobile phone allegedly linked to the case.

Investigating teams are actively collecting technical and documentary evidence, including obtaining bills related to the mobile phone believed to have been used in the operation and securing CCTV footage.

Reports indicate that police have issued a notice to Pranjal Prasad, a media consultant associated with JD(S), requiring him to appear before investigators. His testimony is expected to be crucial, potentially clarifying the sequence of events related to the alleged mobile phone transactions.

Prasad is accused of bringing a mobile phone to Kumaraswamy’s residence. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding this transaction and the uploading and circulation of the sting operation video.

Additionally, police are contemplating issuing a notice to Kumaraswamy and may inspect his residence as part of the investigation. In a related development, a special wing of the CCB conducted a raid on a Kannada news channel whose owner previously claimed responsibility for the sting operation involving Siddaramaiah.

The CCB reportedly obtained a search warrant before initiating the operation. Over 30 officers were deployed for the raid, which also included a search of the owner’s residence in the Sahakarnagar area of Bengaluru.