BENGALURU: Hours after Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge Wednesday said state police were “capable” of investigating an alleged sting operation targeting former CM Siddaramaiah, city police picked up and questioned five people, including a JD(S) worker and two minors, in the case.While three were allowed to go after questioning, the two minors are still under interrogation, police sources said, adding the alleged suspects were identified based on IP address.The minister ruled out a CBI probe, a demand of Union minister HD Kumaraswamy. “Why is a CBI inquiry needed in this case? What is the cause of action? This is also part of a conspiracy to tarnish Siddaramaiah’s reputation,” he said. The central probe agency was yet to complete 2-3 cases entrusted to it and was seeking personnel from the state to expedite investigations, he added.Cops took JD(S) member without case: HDK Siddaramaiah had lodged a complaint with the police commissioner, alleging a conspiracy to damage his reputation through false information.CCB cybercrime police began monitoring social-media platforms and tracing IP addresses of accounts that circulated the videos.Kumaraswamy accused Congress govt of targeting JD(S) social-media workers instead of pursuing those allegedly behind the sting operation. However, he, in a social-media statement Wednesday, claimed police had taken away Shankar, a member of JD(S) social media team, without filing a case.
