Woman in Siddaramaiah sting video says she never met former chief minister, claims she was instructed

A woman featured in a video that claimed to show former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah admitting wrongdoing told police she never met the leader and that her statements were given under instruction. The Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru city is probing the matter after Siddaramaiah filed a complaint on Oct 6 alleging the clip was fabricated to blackmail him and tarnish his reputation. An investigating officer said the woman said a group approached her in 2023, paid her and coached her on what to say, adding that she had never met Siddaramaiah but knew he was chief minister. She confirmed meeting Power TV MD Rakesh Shetty and Congress spokesperson Kripa Alva, a former Karnataka Child Rights Commission chief. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime 2) Raja Imam Kasim P is heading the probe and has declined comment. Siddaramaiah’s complaint also named the YouTube channel Karnataka Honey Trap and alleged that Shetty and others shot the fake sting in 2023, before the state assembly elections. Shetty secured anticipatory bail on Oct 23 and has given multiple statements to police. Alva also appeared before investigators, saying she was unaware of the recording and joined Shetty after he said he wanted to expose some people. Union minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has called for a CBI probe. ## Context The episode highlights how political rivals may use staged videos to influence public opinion ahead of elections, prompting law‑enforcement agencies to scrutinise digital evidence and the people behind it.