The Central Crime Branch has traced the mobile phone used to upload a fabricated sting video targeting former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s official residence in New Delhi. Two men tied to the device, Prajwal Prasad and Vinod Sharma, are now absconding and have not responded to police notices.

The arrested man is Ritesh Pandey, a local freelance social media influencer. Police say he is the only person arrested so far for allegedly uploading the video, which purported to show a sting operation against Siddaramaiah. His statement has been recorded.

The phone trail that leads to Delhi

Investigators say the mobile phone was purchased in Karol Bagh, Delhi, specifically for the alleged operation. The probe has found that the device was handed over to Ritesh Pandey at Kumaraswamy’s official residence in the national capital.

City police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh laid out the finding plainly during a briefing on the case.

Investigation found that the mobile phone used for uploading the video has been handed over to Ritesh by the duo at Mr. Kumaraswamy’s official residence in Delhi.

Who the absconding aides are

Police say Prajwal Prasad is a former journalist who is currently working with Kumaraswamy’s IT team. Investigators allege that he and his associate Vinod Sharma assigned the task to Ritesh Pandey. Both men were served notices, and according to police information, both have moved for anticipatory bail.

Singh said progress in the case depends on securing and questioning both men. Police have not yet been able to do either.

The money trail under examination

Investigators have also traced financial transactions between Prajwal Prasad and Ritesh Pandey. Those transactions are being examined as part of the probe into how the video was created and circulated. Police are also trying to trace the financial and digital links behind the video’s spread.

Other names questioned in the case

The Central Crime Branch has questioned several other people to establish the sequence of events. Among them are Congress leader Kripa Alva and local news channel anchor Rakesh Shetty. Police say the questioning is aimed at identifying who was behind the alleged operation.

Claims that remain unverified

Singh said Ritesh Pandey has repeatedly named Prajwal Prasad as the person who instigated the procurement of the device. Police stressed that these claims have not been proven. The commissioner said officers are verifying every statement and technical fact in the case, and that the veracity of the claims will only be confirmed once the remaining accused are caught and questioned.

The report does not name Kumaraswamy as an accused in the case. It also does not say he had any knowledge of the video. Kumaraswamy addressed a press conference on the alleged sting operation controversy on October 28, 2026, which places him at the center of a political storm that is now tied to his official residence.

Why the political stakes are high

A fabricated video targeting a former chief minister, a phone traced to a Union Minister’s official home, and a former journalist now working in that minister’s IT team make this one of the most combustible cases in Karnataka politics right now. Every new arrest or interrogation could sharpen the fight between the parties.

The investigation is still moving. Police are still hunting the two absconding suspects, and the financial and digital trails remain open. Whoever is caught next will decide whether the case stays a police matter or becomes a full political reckoning.