Bengaluru's Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Monday raided a Kannada news channel whose owner had earlier claimed responsibility for carrying out the sting operation linked to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as the case took a sharper turn with the naming of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

A special wing of the CCB carried out the raids after reportedly obtaining a search warrant, with more than 30 officials and staff deployed at the channel's premises. Police also searched the channel owner's residence in Bengaluru's Sahakaranagar locality, according to the report.

30+CCB officials and staff deployed in the news-channel raids
50+Police personnel deployed at the Commissioner's Office
2KSRP platoons deployed at the Commissioner's Office
56/26CCB police station case number in the sting probe

Security was significantly beefed up in and around the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's Office amid the possibility of a flash protest by JD(S) workers, who have expressed outrage on social media after Kumaraswamy was named in connection with the case. Two platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and more than 50 police personnel were deployed, a police bus was stationed nearby, and personnel were reportedly instructed to detain anyone attempting an unlawful protest, police sources told IANS.

The CCB has also intensified its probe into the alleged exchange and movement of a mobile phone connected with the case, collecting technical and documentary evidence including the phone's bill and CCTV footage. Police have issued a notice to accused Prajwal Prasad, a media consultant allegedly associated with the JD(S) in New Delhi, asking him to appear before investigators; he is alleged to have taken a mobile phone to Kumaraswamy's residence. According to sources, police are also considering issuing a notice to Kumaraswamy and may inspect his residence. These are allegations under investigation and have not been proved.

Kumaraswamy hits back over SIT delay

Kumaraswamy on Monday questioned Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge over the delay in constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged sting operation, asking why Kharge was 'afraid' and alleging the state government was avoiding the investigation despite High Court directions, ANI reported. 'The High Court already gave directions for the SIT, and police officers were also named. But these people went to the Supreme Court, and they have taken shelter of the Supreme Court not to actually constitute this SIT,' he said.

Source: ANI via APNA MA TV

The Union Minister also disputed the police account of an arrest in the case, saying the man identified as Nitesh Kumar was arrested on October 23 from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad and gave a Ghaziabad address in court — disputing any claim that he was arrested from Kumaraswamy's residence. He denied seeking intervention or assistance from anyone in Delhi in the matter.

Monday's raids are the latest escalation in a case Awaaz Punjab has followed through each step: Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday that the investigation in case number 56/26, registered at the CCB Police Station, had progressed and that an accused named Ritesh Pandey had been arrested in New Delhi; a day earlier, police had said a phone in the case was exchanged at Kumaraswamy's Delhi home; and on October 29 police had said the sting video was a fabricated narrative not supported by evidence. The investigation is continuing and no allegation in the case has been proved in court.