Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday, 2 November 2026, publicly challenged the Karnataka Police to question him in connection with the sting operation case linked to former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah, declaring that his doors were always open for investigation. Speaking at a press conference at the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] headquarters, JP Bhavan, Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy asserted he had nothing to hide and accused senior state officials of attempting to weaponise the probe against him politically.

Kumaraswamy's Direct Challenge to Police

Questioning the basis for any potential summons, Kumaraswamy asked: 'Why would they call me for investigation? What have I done? Is it because I exposed all these matters? What exactly will they investigate and how? What is my connection with this case?' He said the accused had allegedly purchased a mobile phone and handed it over near his Delhi residence — a claim he described as a tenuous and legally questionable link.

He also stated he had no knowledge of a person named Ritesh Pandey, whose name has surfaced during the investigation. 'My residence is one place, and I also have a camp office where hundreds of people come for work. He might have visited the place, but I have never seen his face,' he said. He added that he had not even retained security personnel, underlining his willingness to cooperate with any inquiry.

Allegations of Political Pressure on Investigators

Kumaraswamy directed pointed remarks at Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem, urging investigators to conduct the probe honestly and resist political pressure. He alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the state Home Minister were actively influencing the investigation to damage his reputation. 'I have been Chief Minister twice. I have never asked a single officer to do anything illegal. My family has seen the posts of Prime Minister and Chief Minister. I am warning the investigating officers to conduct the probe honestly,' he said.

He further alleged that the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's statement linking his residence to the case violated Supreme Court directions and established guidelines against leaking information during an ongoing probe. He warned that he could seek action against officers who disclosed investigation details prematurely.

Counter-Attack on Congress Leadership

Responding to Home Minister Priyank Kharge's claim that investigators had found clinching evidence, Kumaraswamy demanded that Kharge explain the alleged presence of Prajwal Revanna's former driver at Chief Minister Shivakumar's residence. 'Ask the Home Minister to produce all the evidence he claims to have. People come and go from residences. Can you link someone to a case merely because they visited a particular place?' he said.

He also alleged that a clean chit reportedly given to Siddaramaiah was being rushed through to protect the Congress government. He pointed out that the mobile phone at the centre of the case had been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and that forensic findings were still awaited, questioning how police could make public statements before the results were in hand.

Timeline Questions and Broader Allegations

Kumaraswamy raised questions about the origins of the controversy, noting that an alleged incident occurred in 2011 while the video recording was reportedly carried out in 2023 — a gap of nearly 12 years. He questioned the roles of suspended Congress leader Krupa Alva, a Kannada channel owner, and another individual whose name had figured in the controversy, while also asking about the whereabouts of a woman from Kerala allegedly connected with the case.

He also made a claim regarding a communication allegedly involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's personal secretary, saying a message had reportedly been conveyed about the possible arrest of a Union Minister from Karnataka. 'It is being heard that they have conveyed that a Union Minister would be arrested. Let us see which Union Minister they will arrest,' he said. This claim could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

What Comes Next

The investigation into the sting operation case remains ongoing, with FSL results still pending. Kumaraswamy's public challenge puts fresh pressure on the Karnataka government to demonstrate the independence of its probe. Political observers note that the row has sharpened the already adversarial relationship between the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) in Karnataka and the JD(S)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance at the Centre. How investigators respond to Kumaraswamy's open invitation — and whether any formal summons is issued — is likely to define the next phase of this politically charged case.