Meta smart glasses sting row: Priyank Kharge vows to expose conspiracy, alleges extortion and blackmail

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said everyone involved in the alleged criminal conspiracy behind a sting operation would be exposed, asserting that the investigation was progressing and would be completed transparently, without political interference.

The remarks come amid allegations that an industrialist used Meta AI smart glasses to record meetings with Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. Shivakumar has claimed that the meetings may have been part of a suspected sting operation targeting the two leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said a complaint had been filed to establish the truth and expressed confidence in the officers conducting the investigation. He said the probe would trace the origins of the recordings, establish how they were obtained and circulated, and determine who was responsible.

“It is just a matter of time before everybody is exposed, who did the criminal conspiracy, where it happened, how it happened, who did the sting, why they did it, how it got into someone’s hands after so many years, how it was suddenly uploaded, how the publicity happened, everything,” he said.

“We will trace it from the source and expose it in a few days,” he added.

Kharge says investigation will establish sequence of events

Kharge said the investigation would establish the sequence of events surrounding the material, which reportedly dates back to 2011 and was allegedly recorded in 2023 before emerging in 2026. He cautioned against jumping to conclusions or making statements for publicity.

The minister maintained that the police would conduct the investigation honestly and transparently, without political pressure or interference. He added that people whose names had emerged during the probe had been summoned, and their statements and interrogations recorded.

“There is no escaping it; the charge sheet must be filed. We have to submit it to the court,” Kharge said, adding that the findings would be made available at the appropriate time.

Camera-equipped glasses raise ethical concerns

Addressing the alleged use of smart glasses to make covert recordings during meetings with senior government officials, Kharge said visitors should respect established protocols when meeting ministers and other dignitaries.

“And when anybody comes to meet a senior cabinet minister or the chief minister, it is not ethical to have camera glasses or anything on,” he said.

In separate remarks reported by IANS, Kharge said the presence of a camera in eyewear could naturally raise suspicions, even when the glasses were ostensibly being used for eyesight.

“A lot of people come and meet ministers. Quite naturally, CBI and IT are also being misused. Very clearly, I had mentioned earlier that they have now started doing these covert videos or sting operations,” he said.

“You might have Meta glasses or whatever for your eyesight. But if it has a camera, quite naturally there will be doubts,” he added, stressing the need for courtesy and respect for the office being visited.

Kharge also alleged that the video pointed to extortion and blackmail, saying the investigation would establish the facts.

“No, that’s very evident in the video itself. When you know there are faces visible who belong to the party, they cannot deny it. But it is a very clear case of extortion. It’s a very clear case of blackmail. And we are investigating; sooner or later everything will be on record,” he said.

Responding to Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s claim that some Congress leaders were allegedly involved in the sting operation, Kharge said the videos showed people belonging to the party.

“That is very evident in the video itself. In all videos, there are faces visible who belong to the party. They cannot deny it, but it is a very clear case of extortion. It is a very clear case of blackmail, and we are investigating. Sooner or later, everything will be out,” he said.

Shivakumar details meeting that triggered suspicion

Shivakumar has alleged that an industrialist who met him wearing Meta AI smart glasses may have been attempting to record their conversation as part of a suspected sting operation targeting him and Satheesan.

In a recent interview with a prominent Kannada television channel, the Karnataka Chief Minister said the industrialist had secured an appointment through government officials. Shivakumar became suspicious when the discussion shifted from business to political strategies, including booth-level management and other political developments.

“God has given me power. When they came to conduct a sting operation on me, nobody told me about it. In my experience, if I look at someone’s face, I can figure out why they have come to meet me and what is on their mind,” Shivakumar said.

He said he met thousands of people every day and believed he could read their intentions from their faces.

Recalling the meeting, Shivakumar said the industrialist initially discussed business but later took him to an antechamber and opened a laptop.

“He should have spoken to me about business, but he started discussing politics. He explained how booth-level strategies worked and spoke about what they were doing and other political matters. He went on explaining things like a political psephologist. I looked at his face and became suspicious. I then noticed his spectacles, which raised further doubts,” he said.

Shivakumar said he subsequently directed officials to examine the individual’s background and gather information about his meetings with other political leaders.

According to the Chief Minister, the background check indicated that the industrialist had worn Meta smart glasses during meetings with him and Satheesan, but not during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a Union Minister.

He also referred to a meeting with an IT Minister during which the individual allegedly did not wear the glasses.

Kharge defends political and business interests of leaders’ families

Responding to the BJP’s criticism of the political and business activities of Congress leaders’ family members, Kharge defended their right to pursue such interests.

Questioning the objections, he said, “Why can’t my son get into politics? Why can’t Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi’s son get into politics? Gadkari’s children do business, right? Why can’t my son do business?”

He added that elected representatives were chosen by voters and that the public would ultimately decide who should enter politics.

Minister calls for environmentally responsible diwali

On Diwali celebrations and the use of firecrackers, Kharge urged people to follow environmental guidelines and remain considerate of others during the festivities.

He said cultural traditions should be observed alongside efforts to protect the environment, forests and wildlife. Referring to the Supreme Court’s guidelines on firecrackers, he urged the public to comply with the prescribed rules.

“Saving the environment along with our customs and cultural practices is also our culture, right?” he said.

Kharge responds to query on Vicky’s death

Asked about the suspicious death of a person named Vicky, Kharge said the government would investigate the matter in accordance with the law if a complaint was received.

He said that, to his knowledge, no complaint had been received at that point and invited Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to submit one for examination.

(with IANS inputs)