Kumaraswamy can be summoned in sting case, says K'taka Home Minister Kharge
Synopsis
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has put Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on notice — if suspicion arises, he too can be summoned in the alleged sting operation case. In a combative briefing, Kharge dismissed Kumaraswamy's demand to shape the probe's direction, warned of personal consequences if attacks continued, and accused the JD(S) leader of trying to suppress the very investigation he had called for.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said H.D.
Kumaraswamy could be summoned for questioning if suspicion arose against him in the alleged sting operation case.
Kharge asserted the investigation would follow established legal procedures and could not be conducted as per any political leader's demands.
The minister urged Kumaraswamy to submit evidence directly to investigating authorities instead of making repeated public statements.
Kharge questioned how Kumaraswamy — a two-time Chief Minister — could claim ignorance of standard investigation procedures.
Kumaraswamy had demanded an impartial judicial inquiry, alleging the Congress government was conspiring to implicate him and JD(S) workers.
Tensions between the ruling Congress and the JD(S) in Karnataka are expected to intensify as the probe continues.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday, 15 October 2026, made clear that Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) State President H.D. Kumaraswamy could be summoned for questioning in the alleged sting operation case if suspicion arose against him — asserting that the probe would follow established legal procedures and not bend to the demands of any political leader.
Key Developments
Responding directly to Kumaraswamy's allegations that the state government was misusing police power and engineering a conspiracy to implicate him and JD(S) workers, Kharge said the police were acting on a formal complaint and that names had surfaced during the investigation. 'Since we have received a complaint, those under suspicion will be called for questioning. It could be you or anyone else. If suspicion arises against Kumaraswamy, he too will be called for an investigation. No one has been arrested. Should we conduct the investigation according to Kumaraswamy's wishes?' Kharge said.
The Home Minister emphasised that established protocols govern the investigation and that no political figure — regardless of seniority — could dictate its course.
What the Government Said
Kharge called out Kumaraswamy's repeated public statements claiming to possess inside information about the case, urging the JD(S) leader to submit any evidence directly to investigating authorities rather than speaking to the press. 'Every day, he makes statements claiming to have information about several matters. Let him share that information, as the investigation is ongoing. We are ready to receive any evidence he provides. But if he insists that the investigation must be conducted in a particular manner, that is not possible,' Kharge said.
On Kumaraswamy's criticism of police summoning individuals, Kharge was blunt: 'Is this a marriage for which we have to send invitations? A complaint has been received, names have emerged, and they have been called for questioning.' He added that Kumaraswamy was free to record a statement or place evidence before the court.
The Personal Exchanges and Escalation
The briefing turned pointed when Kharge addressed Kumaraswamy's challenge to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Kharge himself to 'arrest him.' The Home Minister said an arrest required sufficient grounds and evidence, and that he did not need lessons from Kumaraswamy on conducting an investigation. He also questioned whether Kumaraswamy — a two-time Chief Minister of Karnataka — was genuinely unaware of how government and investigations functioned.
In a sharp personal remark, Kharge warned: 'We have tolerated enough out of respect for his position and age. If I start speaking, he may have to undergo another open-heart surgery. It would be better for him if he spoke carefully.' He added that neither the RSS nor Kumaraswamy's language could intimidate him.
Background: The Alleged Sting Operation
The row centres on an alleged sting operation in Karnataka that has drawn in political figures from multiple parties. Kumaraswamy has been demanding an impartial judicial inquiry, accusing the state's Congress government of selectively targeting JD(S) functionaries. The Congress-led state government has consistently maintained that the probe is proceeding by the book and that all individuals against whom suspicion arises are liable to be questioned — irrespective of political affiliation.
This is the latest flashpoint in an ongoing rivalry between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the JD(S)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine at the state level, with both sides escalating rhetoric as the investigation progresses.
What Happens Next
Kharge indicated that more names could emerge from the investigation and be called for questioning. He urged Kumaraswamy to cooperate with the process rather than attempt to influence it publicly, warning that the government would not be deterred by threats or provocative language. As the probe deepens, the political temperature in Karnataka is set to rise further.
Point of View
Not merely a procedural clarification — naming Kumaraswamy as a potential summons target signals that the Congress government is willing to take the confrontation into direct legal territory. The open-heart surgery remark, however, crosses a line: such personal taunts from a sitting minister risk derailing the government's otherwise defensible 'we follow procedure' position. More tellingly, Kumaraswamy's demand for a judicial probe — made loudly and repeatedly — sits awkwardly against his simultaneous attempt to steer the police investigation's scope, a contradiction Kharge was right to call out. The deeper story is whether this sting operation, and the political theatre around it, will harden the JD(S)-BJP alliance ahead of the next electoral cycle in Karnataka.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can H.D. Kumaraswamy be summoned in the Karnataka sting operation case?
Yes, according to Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Kumaraswamy can be summoned for questioning if suspicion arises against him during the investigation. Kharge clarified on 15 October 2026 that the probe follows established procedures and is not restricted to any list of names proposed by political leaders.
What is the Karnataka sting operation case about?
The case involves an alleged sting operation in Karnataka that has drawn in political figures. JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Congress-led state government is misusing police power to implicate him and JD(S) workers. The state government maintains the investigation is proceeding lawfully based on a formal complaint.
What did Priyank Kharge say about Kumaraswamy's demand to shape the probe?
Kharge firmly rejected any suggestion that the investigation could be conducted on Kumaraswamy's terms. He said the police were acting on a complaint, that names had emerged during the probe, and that no political leader could dictate investigation procedure — adding that Kumaraswamy should submit any evidence he claimed to possess directly to the authorities.
Why is H.D. Kumaraswamy demanding a judicial inquiry?
Kumaraswamy has alleged a political conspiracy by the Karnataka government to implicate him and JD(S) functionaries in the sting operation case. He has called for an impartial judicial probe, arguing that the police investigation is being weaponised against the opposition. The Congress government has denied these allegations.
What is the political background to this row?
The dispute is part of a broader rivalry between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the JD(S), which is currently aligned with the BJP at the national level. H.D. Kumaraswamy serves as both Union Minister and JD(S) State President. The sting operation row has sharpened tensions between the two sides ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
