Raids on Power TV boss Rakesh Shetty’s residence, office in Bengaluru in Siddaramaiah sting video case

The searches come a day after the CCB disclosed that the mobile phone used to upload the controversial sting video had allegedly changed hands at the official residence of Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: File photo The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru police on November 2 searched the residence and office of Power TV Managing Director Rakesh Shetty in connection with the alleged fabrication and circulation of a sting video allegedly targeting former chief minister Siddaramaiah.The searches were carried out by multiple teams of investigators after obtaining a search warrant from a court.Rakesh Shetty is a key suspect in the case and, along with expelled Congress leader Kripa Alva, is accused of being involved in the creation of the allegedly fabricated video. Both had earlier been questioned by the police.The searches come a day after the CCB disclosed that the mobile phone used to upload the controversial sting video had allegedly changed hands at the official residence of Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy in New Delhi.Investigators are now seeking to establish the chain of custody of the mobile phone and the circumstances under which it was used to upload the video.The police have issued a notice to another suspect, Prajwal Prasad, who works with the IT cell of the Janata Dal (Secular), directing him to appear for questioning. His statement is expected to be crucial in establishing how the mobile phone was procured and handed over to those allegedly involved in uploading the video.According to the investigation, the mobile phone was allegedly handed over to Ritesh Pandey at Mr. Kumaraswamy’s official residence in New Delhi. The CCB is probing the alleged role of various individuals in the conspiracy and the subsequent circulation of the video.The possibility of questioning Mr. Kumaraswamy or examining his official residence in Delhi will depend on the findings of the investigation and the statements of the suspects. Published - November 02, 2026 12:48 pm IST