Siddaramaiah ‘sting Operation’: Delhi man arrested and released on bail

The Bengaluru Central Crime Branch has arrested Delhi-based Ritesh Pandey in connection with an alleged sting operation against former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The investigation into the alleged sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intensified with the first arrest on Saturday. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested Delhi-based Ritesh Pandey in connection with uploading a video on social media.

According to the police, Pandey was instructed to upload the footage by a person associated with the regional political party’s social media team. On Saturday, he was taken to Bengaluru for questioning and the phone used to record the video was seized.

The investigation reportedly revealed that Pandey used a second-hand SIM card and an e-SIM enabled device to download the video from the pen drive and upload it on social media.

The CCB is examining the seized phone, SIM card details and the digital trail to determine how the footage was transferred and disseminated.

Who handed over the flash drive?

Investigators are now trying to identify the person who gave the Pendrive to Pandey and also find out the role of others. Officials have also summoned several people for questioning based on information allegedly provided by Pandey.

Pandey was produced before the Metropolitan Court and granted bail on the condition that he cooperates with the investigation. According to available information in connection with the case, the misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for less than seven years.

Earlier, the CCB had questioned Rakesh Shetty, the head of a private Kannada news channel.

The CCB is continuing its investigation to determine the source of the video, the circumstances under which it was recorded and circulated and whether other individuals were involved in the alleged sting operation.

Investigators are also looking into whether the video was prepared and distributed as part of a coordinated effort and are trying to determine the identities and roles of those involved, officials said.

Published – 24 Oct 2026 18:43 IST