Full Breakdown
Karnataka chief minister alleges Meta-glasses sting attempt on him and Kerala chief minister
By Drooid · · How we work
Alleged sting operation using Meta smart glasses
Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar said an industrialist who secured a meeting with him wore Meta smart glasses and shifted the discussion from business to politics, prompting suspicion of a covert recording. He told Kannada broadcaster Asianet Suvarna News that the visitor also wore the glasses during a meeting with Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan, but not while meeting Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis or a Union minister. Shivakumar said he ordered officials to conduct a “small enquiry” into the visitor’s background and movements. He added that he has “records” of individuals who might be involved but will disclose them only when appropriate.
Political backdrop and related controversies
The allegation emerges amid a broader controversy over purported sting-operation videos linked to former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. Both the Congress high command and opposition parties have been trading accusations about who commissioned the recordings and their political motives. The dispute intensified after Union minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy accused Shivakumar of orchestrating a sting against Siddaramaiah. On October 14 2026, a Bengaluru court issued an interim injunction restraining media platforms from circulating two videos tied to the controversy.
Statements from involved officials
- The Congress high command (as reported on October 23 2026) asked Shivakumar to launch a formal inquiry and expressed displeasure that he went public before a probe.
Opposition and criticism
Siddaramaiah’s remarks constitute a direct challenge to Shivakumar’s claim, labeling the alleged sting as a “false case.” Kumaraswamy, representing the JD(S), also questioned Shivakumar’s motives, alleging that the chief minister was behind a campaign to unseat Siddaramaiah. Both criticisms are voiced by named political figures and reflect intra-party tension over the episode.
Unresolved issues and gaps
- Identity of the industrialist – Shivakumar has not disclosed the visitor’s name, and no publicly verifiable evidence of a recording has been presented.
- Evidence of recording – No independent verification exists that the Meta glasses captured audio or video during the meetings.
- Scope of the alleged conspiracy – While Shivakumar claims to have “records” of other potential targets, the contents of those records remain undisclosed.
- Legal outcome – The court injunction on October 14 2026 limits media distribution of related videos, but no judicial finding on the alleged sting has been issued.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and VD Satheesan,” — Karnataka. Shivakumar, karnataka deputy chief
- “I was Chief Minister for eight years. In the past, nothing like this happened, but now it is happening. I have filed a complaint so that people should know that this is a false case,” — Minister Siddaramaiah, former karnataka chief