Karnataka sting operation case: Delhi man arrested in Police probe

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 24, 2026: Bengaluru City Police have arrested a Delhi-based man in connection with the alleged sting operation involving former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The arrest marks the first in the case.

The accused, identified as Ritesh Pandey, was picked up in Delhi and brought to Bengaluru for questioning, police sources said.

Investigators are examining his alleged links to a second-hand mobile phone suspected to have been used to upload the video. Police are also tracing the digital trail to establish who uploaded the video and how it was subsequently circulated on social media.

The case has attracted widespread attention across Karnataka, with Siddaramaiah speaking about the alleged sting operation and his son also commenting on the controversy. The latter has named two people, including a woman, as the prime accused in the alleged conspiracy.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Saturday that police had issued notices to several people suspected of uploading or sharing the video.

Some of them have reportedly become untraceable, but investigators are making efforts to locate and question them.

Police sources said investigators had gathered several leads, including details of links through which the video was circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Further questioning of the suspects is expected to help establish the roles of those involved in recording, uploading and sharing the video, sources said.