‘Power TV Rakesh Shetty behind sting videos that mentions Siddaramaiah’s name’

Bengaluru

The controversial sting video that has triggered a major political storm in Karnataka, in which former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s name was mentioned, was allegedly filmed on the instructions of Power TV Managing Director Rakesh Shetty, a whistleblower previously associated with the satellite news channel has exclusively revealed to blrpost.com.

The whistleblower, who spoke exclusively to this website, said he was not in possession of the video. He also claimed that the video might have been uploaded to a YouTube channel by a rival of Shetty. According to the whistleblower, the video was filmed in 2023, ahead of the Assembly elections. 

Also Read: Over 100 unaired sting videos allegedly used by Power TV Rakesh Shetty for blackmail, extortion

The controversy has assumed significance as Siddaramaiah has secured an ad-interim ex-parte temporary injunction from a Bengaluru civil court. The videos uploaded to a YouTube channel are not viewable in India. Following Siddaramaiah’s complaint regarding the sting video to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, the cybercrime police have begun an investigation into the matter.

Also Read: Whistleblower claims ‘Pitamaha’ of sting operations targeted over 60 MLAs

In the videos, Rakesh Shetty and Congress leader Krupa Alva can be seen. Shetty is heard mentioning Siddaramaiah’s name on multiple occasions. When contacted by blrpost.com, Krupa Alva declined to comment on the video, stating that “she will not be able to comment about the video.”

The whistleblower, who has been speaking to this website, alleged that the sting operation was carried out at Shetty’s direction with the intention of blackmail and extortion. According to him, the primary objectives of filming the video were to demand a coveted MLA ticket for Alva, secure funds for elections and obtain a large amount of cash.

The whistleblower further alleged that a detailed investigation would reveal that Shetty had shown the videos to a select group of people for blackmail and had obtained favours in the process. He maintained that the investigation should not be restricted to the uploading of the video but should extend to identifying all those involved in its production and circulation.

According to the whistleblower, investigators must begin by tracing the uploading of the video and then pursue the wider chain of people associated with it. He said the investigation should establish who else was involved in the operation, apart from Rakesh Shetty and Krupa Alva.

The whistleblower also questioned why Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had not yet directed the police to arrest Shetty, whom he described as the source of the controversy that has erupted in Karnataka. He argued that the investigation should examine Shetty’s alleged role in the episode rather than focus solely on the circulation of the video.

The whistleblower further warned that the Chief Minister’s credibility would come under question if Shetty was not arrested. He stressed that Shetty is facing 36 criminal cases (still pending) and many pertains to extortion. 

He maintained that action against Shetty was necessary, given the allegations surrounding the sting video and the political controversy it has triggered in the State.