Kumaraswamy calls Shivakumar ‘Sting Samrat’, seeks probe by sitting high court judge

Bengaluru: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Thursday called chief minister DK Shivakumar “Sting Samrat” and demanded an inquiry by a sitting high court judge into alleged clandestine operations targeting former CM Siddaramaiah and others.Suggesting Shivakumar was at the heart of alleged sting operations, Kumaraswamy wanted investigators to examine Shivakumar’s phone records to establish facts and unearth the truth. His allegations could not be independently verified. The probe, he said, should be free of political interference.He also sought an investigation into the role of Rakesh Shetty, MD of a private Kannada channel, and Krupa Alva, former chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, suspecting their role in the operation linked to Siddaramaiah.Kumaraswamy alleged Shivakumar had a lengthy meeting at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru recently with a person allegedly involved in sting operations, and later warned five of his cabinet colleagues that they had been targeted.He recalled a 2024 remark by BJP MLA and former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi — who was forced to resign after a video purportedly showing him in a compromising position emerged — that indirectly targeted Shivakumar and had suggested videos involving other political figures, including Siddaramaiah and deputy CM G Parameshwara, could emerge. “That is why I called him ‘Sting Samarat’. The CM’s mindset is a matter of concern,” he said.Dismissing the charge that he envied Shivakumar for becoming CM, Kumaraswamy said he had “already held the post, enjoyed it and was not seeking it again”. He accused Congress functionaries of abusing him daily to please Shivakumar. “If you think criticising me will make the CM happy, you can abuse me even more,” he said.He hit back at home minister Priyank Kharge, saying: “I can fall asleep within two minutes after finishing my work. You can’t because you are worried about the I-T department and the Enforcement Directorate. I have nothing to worry about.”Taking a swipe at Kumaraswamy, Priyank had said: “I did not fear your father RSS, so why should I fear you?”Also Thursday, Kumaraswamy staged a dharna outside Bengaluru city police commissioner’s office Thursday, demanding a probe into the alleged sting operation targeting Siddaramaiah. Accompanied by JD(S) members, Kumaraswamy also met police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh for about 30 minutes. “Based on the assurance given by the police commissioner, I’ll give the govt two days to act,” he said. Responding to Priyank comment that he could also be interrogated, Kumaraswamy said, “I am here. Let police question me.”In Mangaluru, Shivakumar declined to comment on allegations linking him to the alleged sting operation targeting Siddaramaiah, saying he had “no information” on the issue. However, Dakshina Kannada district minister UT Khader said an investigation is under way and it would establish facts. “They (opposition) were the ones who demanded an inquiry, so why are they sitting on dharna and protesting?” Khader said. “Let the investigation proceed. A report cannot be delivered overnight.”You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.