Kumaraswamy warns Karnataka govt over sting op probe, threatens JD(S) action if bail granted
Synopsis
In a striking political moment, H.D. Kumaraswamy — long-time rival of Siddaramaiah — publicly defended the former Karnataka CM while firing a direct broadside at the Congress government: stop shielding the sting operation accused or face JD(S) consequences. The move scrambles the usual political alignments in Karnataka and puts Shivakumar's administration under fresh scrutiny over its handling of the probe.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy accused Karnataka CM D.K.
Shivakumar of treating the Siddaramaiah sting operation probe lightly at a press conference on 23 October in Bengaluru .
Kumaraswamy alleged that summons were issued to the key accused — described as a media person — 'merely as a formality', not as a serious investigative step.
He raised questions about probe head, senior IPS officer Ajay Hilori , citing an alleged past link to the IMA ponzi scheme case .
JD(S) warned it 'will not sit quietly' if the government facilitates the accused securing anticipatory bail .
Kumaraswamy acknowledged his political rivalry with Siddaramaiah but defended the former CM as the Congress's most electorally significant leader in Karnataka.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday, 23 October accused Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of treating the alleged sting operation controversy involving former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah with undue leniency — and warned that the Janata Dal (Secular) would not stay silent if the state government facilitated anticipatory bail for the accused.
Speaking at a press conference at JP Bhavan, the JD(S) headquarters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy alleged that police had issued summons to a key person linked to the sting operation video 'merely as a formality', raising questions about the seriousness of the investigation.
Key Allegations Against the State Government
Kumaraswamy alleged that the accused — described as a media person — had been treated leniently owing to his proximity to Chief Minister Shivakumar. He claimed the individual had 'easy access' to the Chief Minister and alleged the probe was being deliberately soft-pedalled.
'According to the information I have, the person was staying at the Radisson Hotel in Mysuru the day before yesterday, and they brought him in. Yesterday, summons were issued to him merely as a formality,' Kumaraswamy alleged.
He further raised questions about senior IPS officer Ajay Hilori, who is heading the investigation, citing an alleged past connection to the IMA ponzi scheme case. Kumaraswamy also questioned what he described as an unusual overlap: the same lawyer who reportedly fought Hilori's case earlier was now reportedly engaged by the person seeking anticipatory bail in the sting operation matter.
The Shivakumar-Delhi Meet Controversy
Kumaraswamy's remarks followed reports that Chief Minister Shivakumar had met AICC General Secretary (Organisation) and Congress MP K.C. Venugopal during a visit to Delhi on Thursday. Shivakumar had reportedly dismissed JD(S)'s framing of the controversy as political point-scoring.
Responding to Shivakumar's explanation that Home Minister Priyank Kharge had also been present at Venugopal's residence and that the meeting was coincidental, Kumaraswamy questioned the circumstances and accused the Chief Minister of downplaying the media person's alleged role in the sting.
'The issue is not whether the JD(S) is using this matter politically. The question is whether the truth will come out and justice will be done,' Kumaraswamy said.
Kumaraswamy Defends Siddaramaiah Despite Rivalry
In a notable political turn, Kumaraswamy — a long-standing political opponent of Siddaramaiah — positioned himself as defending the former Chief Minister's reputation. He alleged the sting operation was deliberately crafted to damage Siddaramaiah's public image, and argued that Siddaramaiah remained the Congress party's most electorally significant leader in Karnataka.
'Who else is there in the Congress party, apart from Siddaramaiah, who is such a tall leader? Siddaramaiah has been forced to sit at home, and now they claim that this is a JD(S) conspiracy. Who else can bring votes apart from Siddaramaiah? You were saved because of him,' Kumaraswamy alleged.
Anticipating questions about the apparent contradiction of defending a rival, Kumaraswamy acknowledged: 'You may ask why I am speaking in favour of Siddaramaiah. Yes, I have fought against him' — insisting the matter demanded a fair investigation regardless of political affiliations.
JD(S) Issues Direct Warning to the Government
Kumaraswamy was unequivocal in his warning to the ruling Congress government: 'I am warning the government. If it remains silent and helps him secure bail in the anticipatory bail petition he has filed, we will not sit quietly.'
This comes amid a broader political churning in Karnataka, where the Congress government has faced multiple controversies since coming to power. The sting operation row adds another layer of pressure on Shivakumar's administration, with the opposition now publicly signalling escalation. How the government responds to JD(S)'s demands — and whether the investigation yields credible outcomes — will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
He drives a wedge between the two Congress power centres in Karnataka without appearing to act purely in JD(S) interest. The questions he raises about IPS officer Ajay Hilori and the shared lawyer angle are serious enough to demand answers — and conspicuous enough that the government cannot easily brush them aside. What's missing from the public record is any direct response from the investigation team or from Shivakumar on the specific allegations. Until that accountability loop closes, the perception of a compromised probe will continue to dog the government.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka sting operation controversy involving Siddaramaiah?
The controversy centres on an alleged sting operation video that, according to Kumaraswamy, was designed to damage the public image of former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah. A media person is said to be a key accused in the case, with the police probe now facing scrutiny over the pace and seriousness of the investigation.
What did Kumaraswamy allege about the Karnataka government's handling of the probe?
Kumaraswamy alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was treating the case leniently because the accused had close access to the Chief Minister. He specifically claimed that police summons were issued to the accused 'merely as a formality' and warned that the JD(S) would escalate if the government helped the accused secure anticipatory bail.
Why did Kumaraswamy raise questions about IPS officer Ajay Hilori?
Kumaraswamy alleged that Ajay Hilori, who is heading the sting operation probe, had a past connection to the IMA ponzi scheme case. He also pointed to an alleged overlap in legal representation — claiming the same lawyer who had previously appeared in Hilori's matter was now engaged by the person seeking anticipatory bail in the sting operation case.
Why is Kumaraswamy defending Siddaramaiah despite their political rivalry?
Kumaraswamy acknowledged the rivalry directly, saying 'Yes, I have fought against him,' but argued that the sting operation issue transcended political lines and required a fair investigation. He also argued that Siddaramaiah remains the most electorally significant leader for the Congress in Karnataka, and framing the controversy as a JD(S) conspiracy was, in his view, a deflection.
What is the significance of Shivakumar's Delhi visit in this controversy?
Shivakumar visited Delhi on Thursday and reportedly met AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. Kumaraswamy alleged the meeting was connected to managing the sting operation controversy at the Congress high command level, not merely to discuss Karnataka's interests — a charge Shivakumar reportedly dismissed, saying the meeting was coincidental.
