Prajwal Prasad, identified as part of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's social media team, presented himself for questioning before the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. His appearance is central to the ongoing investigation into a fabricated sting operation that targeted former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Prasad, who has secured interim bail, faced scrutiny regarding his alleged involvement in providing a mobile phone to content creator Ritesh Kumar Pandey. This exchange reportedly occurred at Minister Kumaraswamy's official residence in New Delhi, a detail highlighted by the CCB's prior notice to Prasad.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh previously stated that the device, purportedly used to upload the controversial sting video, was acquired in Delhi and then brought to Kumaraswamy's Kushak Road residence. The police investigation further revealed that Ritesh Pandey, apprehended in New Delhi by Bengaluru City Police, admitted purchasing the phone in Karol Bagh alongside Vinod Sharma. Pandey claimed these actions were carried out under the instructions of Prajwal Prasad, allegedly a member of Kumaraswamy's social media contingent. Subsequently, the device reached Kumaraswamy's official residence, where it was purportedly handed over to Prasad.
Investigators are scrutinizing both the transfer of the mobile phone between Prasad and Pandey, and any financial transactions that may have followed Pandey's purchase of the device. Commissioner Singh expressed expectations that Prasad's testimony would clarify the video's circulation. 'Once we get information from Prajwal Prasad, we will have a clearer picture of how the video was circulated. After Ritesh Pandey purchased the mobile phone, there was a financial transaction between the two. There was also an exchange of the mobile phone. We expect to get clarity on these aspects,' Singh elaborated.
Meanwhile, BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra criticized Congress leaders, accusing them of 'unnecessarily' politicizing the issue and creating a 'hit-wicket' scenario. Vijayendra challenged the sting operation's origins, questioning who conducted it and their motives, suggesting these aspects lacked proper scrutiny. He also remarked that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar appeared unsettled by recent Legislative Council election results and urged him to acknowledge public sentiment. Looking ahead to the Hiriyur by-election, Vijayendra affirmed that voters were well-informed and would render their decision accordingly.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News