Bengaluru, Agency
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has expelled former party general secretary Kripa Alva for six years with immediate effect over allegations of her involvement in an alleged sting operation targeting senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The expulsion order, issued by KPCC Vice-President M Narayanaswamy, said the controversy had embarrassed the party and triggered negative publicity and adverse media reactions.
The order stated that a show-cause notice had been served on Alva seeking her explanation regarding the allegations, but she had not submitted any response so far.
"As your name has figured in this sting operation case and your conduct in the matter amounts to anti-party activities, on the instructions of the Hon'ble KPCC President, you are hereby expelled from the party for a period of six years with immediate effect," the order said.
The controversy centres on a purported sting video carrying allegations of sexual abuse against Siddaramaiah in connection with an alleged incident dating back to 2011.
Siddaramaiah had accused Alva and Power TV Managing Director Rakesh Shetty of being behind the operation, alleging an attempt to blackmail and malign him. Alva, who was reportedly aspiring for a Congress ticket from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, was questioned by investigators in connection with the case.
According to media reports citing police sources, the woman featured in the video told investigators that she had never met Siddaramaiah and had made the statements after allegedly being paid and coached by a group in 2023. She also reportedly acknowledged meeting Shetty and Alva.
Alva, in her statement to investigators, reportedly maintained that she was unaware that the conversation was being recorded and did not know the woman. She is learnt to have said that she accompanied Shetty after he told her that he wanted to expose certain people.
Siddaramaiah had approached a Bengaluru court seeking restraint on the circulation of the video. A city civil and sessions court subsequently granted an interim injunction restraining 42 media organisations, digital platforms and other entities from publishing or circulating the recordings.
In a significant development, Bengaluru Police on Thursday said the sexual abuse allegations in the video were part of a "fabricated and deliberately constructed narrative".
Police said the statements recorded and evidence collected during the investigation did not substantiate the alleged incident.
Investigators have also seized the original mobile phone allegedly used to record the video and sent it for forensic examination. The probe is examining how the recording was made, its subsequent circulation through anonymous social media accounts and the possible motives behind the operation.
The case has triggered a political confrontation, with union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy questioning the police investigation and demanding a CBI probe. Several individuals, including members of the JD(S) social media team, have also been arrested in connection with the circulation of the video.
The expulsion of Alva adds another dimension to the controversy, bringing internal party dynamics and allegations of political conspiracy into sharper focus.
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