Siddaramaiah sting video: Delhi man Ritesh Pande detained by Karnataka CCB
Synopsis
Karnataka's CCB has made its first significant arrest in the Siddaramaiah sting video case — detaining a 22-year-old Delhi man suspected of uploading the footage to YouTube and X. With the former Chief Minister himself naming alleged conspirators and his son pointing to 'insiders,' the investigation is rapidly expanding beyond a simple upload into what police describe as a coordinated blackmail conspiracy.
Key Takeaways
Ritesh Kumar Pande , 22 , a Delhi resident, was detained and questioned by Bengaluru CCB on 24 October over the alleged sting video linked to former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah .
Pande was questioned for approximately two hours at the office of CCB DCP Raja Imam Khasim P. after being brought from Delhi on Friday.
The video was allegedly uploaded via 'Karnataka Honey Trap' accounts on YouTube and X ; the mobile phone used has been seized.
Police are likely to seek judicial custody of Pande for further investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
Siddaramaiah named journalist and Congress leader Krupa Alva of Mangaluru as allegedly involved; his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah alleged 'insider' involvement.
A media professional reportedly featured in the video has already been granted bail .
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru Police on Saturday, 24 October detained and questioned Ritesh Kumar Pande, a 22-year-old resident of Delhi, in connection with an alleged sting operation video linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah. Pande's detention is being described as the first major breakthrough in the investigation, though further legal proceedings and official confirmation are still awaited.
How the CCB Tracked Pande
According to police, the CCB traced the digital location from which the controversial video was uploaded and identified Pande as the person allegedly responsible. He was brought to Bengaluru from Delhi by CCB officials on Friday and questioned for approximately two hours at the office of CCB Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Raja Imam Khasim P.
The video in question was reportedly circulated through accounts operating under the name 'Karnataka Honey Trap' on social media platforms YouTube and X. Police suspect Pande was involved in uploading the footage to these platforms.
Devices Seized, Mahazar Videographed
Investigators have seized the mobile phone allegedly used to upload the video. Additional mobile phones found in Pande's possession have also been taken into custody for forensic examination. The seizure procedure, including the preparation of the mahazar (panchanama), was videographed as part of standard investigation protocol.
Police are examining the seized electronic devices and other technical evidence to establish the precise circumstances under which the video was recorded, uploaded, and circulated across social media platforms.
What Investigators Are Focusing On
Investigators are expected to concentrate on identifying individuals who allegedly directed Pande to upload the video, and on establishing the motive and larger conspiracy behind its circulation. Police are likely to produce him before a magistrate and seek his custody for further questioning.
The case was registered following a formal complaint filed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with the Cyber Crime Police over the circulation of the alleged sting video. A media professional who reportedly features in the video has already secured bail in the case.
Siddaramaiah Names Alleged Conspirators
On Friday, Siddaramaiah publicly named a journalist and Congress leader Krupa Alva of Mangaluru as individuals allegedly behind the sting operation. He described the episode as a systematic conspiracy to blackmail him and tarnish his image through what he termed false allegations.
Separately, Karnataka Minister for Urban Development Yathindra Siddaramaiah — the former Chief Minister's son — alleged on Friday that insiders had orchestrated the sting operation to damage his father's 40-year political legacy and blackmail him. The CCB is continuing its investigation to establish the full chain of events, from the recording of the footage to its distribution across platforms.
Point of View
Krupa Alva, alongside a journalist, turns this from a straightforward cybercrime case into a politically charged intra-party flashpoint. The CCB will face pressure to pursue the chain of command rigorously; any perception of selective investigation — given the ruling party's stake in the outcome — could undermine public trust in the probe.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ritesh Kumar Pande and why was he detained?
Ritesh Kumar Pande is a 22-year-old Delhi resident detained by the Bengaluru CCB on 24 October on suspicion of uploading the alleged sting operation video linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Police traced the digital upload location to him and brought him to Bengaluru from Delhi for questioning.
What is the Siddaramaiah sting video case about?
The case centres on an alleged sting operation video linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that was circulated through 'Karnataka Honey Trap' accounts on YouTube and X. Siddaramaiah filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police, alleging it was part of a coordinated conspiracy to blackmail him and damage his political reputation.
Who has Siddaramaiah named as being behind the sting?
Siddaramaiah publicly named a journalist and Congress leader Krupa Alva of Mangaluru as individuals allegedly behind the sting operation. He described the episode as a systematic conspiracy to blackmail him through false allegations.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are expected to produce Ritesh Kumar Pande before a magistrate and seek his judicial custody for further questioning. Investigators aim to identify those who allegedly directed him to upload the video and to establish the full chain of events, including the source of the footage and others involved in its distribution.
What is the role of the media professional mentioned in the case?
A media professional who reportedly features in the alleged sting video is also part of the case. That individual has already secured bail, and the CCB is continuing to examine the circumstances of the video's recording and circulation.
