Bengaluru, 13 Oct

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah has approached a court seeking a stay on what he described as “false publicity” against him on social media.

Siddaramaiah stated on Tuesday that this was in regards to videos circulating on social media linking him to an alleged sting operation.

“Although I have absolutely no connection with this sting operation video, certain miscreants have been using it to spread malicious propaganda against me,” he stated on X.

He said the application filed before the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court seeks to prevent newspapers, television channels and social media platforms from publishing or broadcasting content linking his name to the alleged video.

Saying that he had always been a “a strong advocate of free speech”, Siddaramaiah added that he was forced to take action now as technology had made it easier for “mischief makers” to run a “malicious campaign” and “tarnish” his reputation.”

His son and Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Tuesday dismissed the video at the centre of the controversy as fake, alleging that it was intended to tarnish his father’s image.

“This is not a sting operation but a conspiracy to spread false propaganda and tarnish someone’s image,” Yathindra said. “The political situation today has deteriorated to such a low level. Even a senior leader like Siddaramaiah has to face such false allegations.”

HDK demands CBI probe into 'sting' operation targeting Siddu

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said he would Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seeks a CBI probe into an alleged sting operation targeting former chief minister Siddaramaiah, stating that the episode was part of a larger attempt to target political opponents.

He claimed that Siddaramaiah was a victim of the operation and it might have led him to give up the CM post.

"A former chief minister (Siddaramaiah) who held office for eight years was made to approach the court over the issue,” Kumaraswamy said at a presser. “Is this how you treat” Karnataka’s longest serving chief minister, he added.

"Let everyone involved come out into the open. The truth must emerge out,” he said.

Training his guns at Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy said, “you watered and nurtured this operation, and the saplings you cultivated have now grown into enormous trees. You must face the consequences of what has grown out of it”.

‘FACTORY OF STING OPS’

Congress MLA and former minister KN Rajanna said that the sting operation targeting Siddaramaiah could be linked to the ongoing leadership tussle in the ruling party.

Asked whether Congress leaders had used the issue to push for a leadership change, Rajanna said, "Yes, it is possible. We cannot rule it out."

"There is a 'factory' in Karnataka where these sting operations are carried out," he claimed, adding that it the issue could date back to 2011 or 2017 and claimed that many people knew about it.