Sting Operation Controversy: Siddaramaiah Moves Court Seeking Media Injunction, Verdict Expected Today

By Political Bureau

Published: October 13, 2026

BENGALURU: Amid escalating political friction across Karnataka over a swirling “sting operation” controversy, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has formally moved the 18th City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH) in Bengaluru. He is seeking a judicial injunction to restrain multiple media outlets from broadcasting or publishing videos related to the alleged sting.

The high-profile legal petition names 42 media organizations, encompassing prominent private news channels and newspapers, as respondents. A definitive verdict on the injunction request is expected to be delivered by the court on Tuesday.

Background of the Controversy

The controversy gained intense momentum after Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy publicly claimed that a sting operation had been conducted targeting the former Chief Minister. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah subsequently acknowledged that discussions surrounding a sting operation were active, emphasizing that a thorough inquiry is necessary to unearth the masterminds orchestrating the operation behind the scenes.

Defending his decision to approach the judiciary, Siddaramaiah stated that malicious attempts and false narratives regarding the sting video are being aggressively circulated across social media platforms. Seeking a legal safeguard was necessary to protect his reputation from unverified and defamatory transmissions, he noted.

Broader Political Context

Interacting with journalists at Bengaluru’s Kondajji Basappa Hall, Siddaramaiah also touched upon national political developments. He addressed the ongoing protests led by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, which demand the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns surrounding the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls. Siddaramaiah noted that while he had planned to join the national capital demonstrations, he was unable to attend due to pressing state-level commitments.

As Bengaluru and the rest of Karnataka await the court’s ruling today, the political circles remain on high alert, with the outcome poised to dictate the trajectory of the ongoing media and political battle.