Karnataka’s CD boy Rakesh Shetty replaced computer days before CCB raid

Bengaluru

At least four days before the Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided the Power TV office in Bengaluru, the news channel’s Managing Director (MD), Rakesh Shetty, allegedly replaced the computer in his chamber with a new one, according to a highly reliable source inside the satellite news channel.

The source said, “he saw Shetty and his associates replacing the computer in an apparent bid to hide/destroy possible evidence in the sting video case.”

The raid was conducted on November 2, 2026, at the Power TV office and Shetty’s residence. The CCB reportedly seized electronic devices during the operation. The source further said that the computer on Shetty’s desk had been replaced about four days before the raid.

It should be noted that Shetty has secured interim anticipatory bail in the sting case, which is being investigated by a special team comprising the CCB and Cyber Crime Police.

First, the FIR was registered against a YouTube channel following a complaint by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the uploading of a sting video that mentioned his name.

The two-part sting video was secretly filmed by K V Prashanth Kumar on the instructions of Rakesh Shetty and expelled Congress leader Krupa Alva. In the video, a burqa-clad woman was seen and heard alleging that Siddaramaiah had sexually assaulted her.

Following a preliminary inquiry, the CCB reportedly found that the woman had allegedly been paid to level false allegations against Siddaramaiah and that payments had allegedly been made by Shetty and Alva for the same. The CCB has questioned both Shetty and Alva multiple times.

The police also arrested Delhi-based Ritesh Pande in the early hours of October 24, 2026. He secured bail on the same day. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh had also said there is a link between Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and the alleged handing over of the video.

Replacing the system

The source said that after the sting video snowballed into a controversy, Shetty, infamously known as Karnataka’s CD boy, became vigilant and began planning ways to destroy evidence.

“What is laughable is that he is trying to destroy evidence even after admitting that the sting operation was conducted by him,” the source said.

According to the source, Shetty would usually watch the videos on his computer in his chamber after completing sting operations and use them to chart a course of action for alleged blackmail and extortion. He may have allegedly amassed wealth to the tune of ₹ 200 to ₹ 300 crore. 

Several hundred videos were reportedly played on the computer that has now been replaced with a new one.

The source said the CCB needs to grill Shetty to trace the original device, which could help unearth the full extent of the alleged scam.