Shivakumar Says Businessman Used Meta Glasses in Sting Attempt

WHO:

Hindustan Times - Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar alleged that an unnamed industrialist attempted to record a political conversation involving Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan.

Deccan Herald - Shivakumar said a businessman met him wearing Meta smart glasses and claimed there had been attempts to conduct a sting operation on his ministers.

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said the visitor also wore the glasses during a meeting with Satheesan, but not during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, or a Union minister.

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said he cautioned Karnataka cabinet ministers against being entrapped through people working around them, telephone calls, or other means.

WHAT:

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said the visitor first discussed business and then raised politics, including booth-level strategies and political developments.

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said, “He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and VD Satheesan.”

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said authorities had taken precautions but were withholding details: “We have taken all precautionary measures.”

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said he had documented the episode and kept records, but would not identify people he believed might be involved yet: “Not now. When the time comes, I will say what has to be said. This is not the time to speak.”

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said, “As the head of the government, which is like a family, I have to tell the Cabinet ministers to be conscious and not get fooled.”

WHERE:

Hindustan Times - The alleged meetings involved Shivakumar in Karnataka and Satheesan in Kerala.

Deccan Herald - The article identifies Shivakumar as Karnataka chief minister.

WHY:

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said the glasses made him suspicious that the visitor was attempting a sting operation targeting him and Satheesan.

HOW:

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said the visitor obtained an appointment through officials; he then asked officials to examine the visitor’s background.

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar did not name the industrialist or provide evidence that the glasses recorded either meeting.

Hindustan Times - Shivakumar said he had called people he believed might be involved and kept records, but would disclose names or records later.

Hindustan Times - The allegations arose amid a dispute involving Congress in Karnataka and opposition parties over purported sting-operation videos involving former chief minister Siddaramaiah; the parties exchanged allegations about the recordings’ origin and purpose.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 04:08 UTC)

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar says he suspects a businessman tried to record political conversations using Meta smart glasses, possibly as part of a sting operation. Shivakumar said the visitor arranged a meeting through officials, first discussed business, then raised politics, including booth-level strategies and political developments. He said the visitor wore the glasses during meetings with him and Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, but not with several other political leaders. Shivakumar said he asked officials to examine the visitor’s background and has documented the episode, while withholding names and records for now. He also warned Karnataka cabinet ministers to be alert to possible entrapment through associates, phone calls or other means. Shivakumar said precautions have been taken but gave no details. The allegations come amid a dispute over purported sting-operation videos involving former chief minister Siddaramaiah, with parties trading claims about their origin and purpose.