Bengaluru police raid Power TV MD's office and home
The Central Crime Branch is investigating the alleged fabrication and circulation of a sting video targeting former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru police searched the residence and office of Power TV Managing Director Rakesh Shetty on November 2. According to The Hindu, the searches were conducted by several investigative teams following a court-issued search warrant.
Shetty is a primary suspect in the case involving an allegedly fabricated sting video targeting former chief minister Siddaramaiah. He and expelled Congress leader Kripa Alva are accused of being involved in creating the video and have both been questioned by police previously.
The investigation follows reports from the CCB that the mobile phone used to upload the video was allegedly transferred at the official New Delhi residence of Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy.
Investigators are working to establish the chain of custody for the device and the circumstances of its use.
Police have issued a notice to Prajwal Prasad, who works with the IT cell of the Janata Dal (Secular), to appear for questioning. His statement may help determine how the mobile phone was obtained and passed to those involved in the upload.
The CCB is currently probing the roles of various individuals in the conspiracy and the circulation of the video. Whether Union Minister Kumaraswamy will be questioned or his Delhi residence examined will depend on the ongoing investigation and suspect statements.