CD boy Rakesh Shetty was planning to sting 223 Karnataka MLAs

Bengaluru

Rakesh Shetty, Managing Director of Power TV, was allegedly planning to carry out a fresh series of sting operations targeting 223 Karnataka MLAs. The plan was in the offing, according to a person who had previously worked with Shetty.

Shetty, infamously known as Karnataka’s CD boy, is currently embroiled in the sting video scam. A special team comprising the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and Cyber Crime Police is probing the case based on a complaint filed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The CCB is currently conducting raids at Shetty’s residence and office. The agency has reportedly found gold, cash, electronic devices and other items. The raids are still underway.

Before the sting video mentioning Siddaramaiah was leaked on YouTube, Shetty was busy planning a fresh series of sting operations targeting 223 MLAs, a person who had previously worked with him exclusively told Blrpost.com.

Shetty had pitched this idea to a senior MLA holding an influential position. He was planning to execute the sting operations in 2027-28, ahead of the Assembly elections. The present Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, was also on Shetty’s target list.

Shetty’s alleged modus operandi is to take contracts from individuals to conduct sting operations in exchange for large sums of money. After carrying out the sting and sharing the videos with those who had commissioned the operations, Shetty would retain a copy for himself. He would subsequently use these videos to blackmail the individuals who had been caught on camera. The victims were allegedly blackmailed both by Shetty and those who had funded the operations.

For instance, the source said Shetty had taken around ₹10 crore from a senior BJP leader in 2023, ahead of the Assembly elections, and conducted sting operations targeting more than 60 Congress and JD(S) MLAs. He aired 30-35 sting videos, while the remaining footage was allegedly used for extortion. These videos were also shared with the senior BJP leader, who had held the post of Chief Minister.

The operations reportedly focused on issues concerning optical fibre cable (OFC) networks. The sting operators approached MLAs, offering them money on the pretext that they needed permission to lay OFC networks. They filmed the alleged bribery. Through these operations, Shetty had extorted nearly ₹100 crore, a source close to him revealed.

In a similar fashion, Shetty was planning to conduct sting operations targeting 223 MLAs. He came up with the idea and pitched it to a senior MLA. The MLA was reportedly thrilled by the proposal, as the videos could be used for various political purposes.

However, the leak of the sting video mentioning Siddaramaiah has brought these plans to a halt.