Delhi: The Congress-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held separate rallies in Delhi on Sunday, November 1, amid political tensions over electoral roll revisions and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Meanwhile, the investigation into an alleged sting video targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a fresh turn after Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh revealed that a mobile phone linked to the case was allegedly handed over at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s official residence in New Delhi.
INDIA bloc marches against alleged voter irregularities
The INDIA bloc organised a march from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan under the slogan ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’. The Opposition alliance demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Several prominent Opposition leaders participated in the march, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.
Leaders and supporters raised concerns over alleged deletion of voters’ names and questioned the electoral roll revision process. The alliance also reiterated its demand for a return to ballot-paper voting.
The march followed a symbolic public impeachment event held by Opposition leaders at Kharge’s residence on Saturday, where they adopted a resolution against the Chief Election Commissioner. The event was intended to highlight their objections to the Election Commission’s functioning.
BJP holds march over 1984 anti-Sikh riots
The BJP organised a separate march in West Delhi to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The procession was scheduled from Hari Nagar bus depot to Tilak Nagar Metro station.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other BJP leaders were among those expected to participate, along with survivors and relatives of victims.
The BJP objected to the INDIA bloc organising its rally on November 1, a date associated with the violence against Sikhs following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
The two demonstrations took place at different locations in the national capital, prompting extensive security arrangements. Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across central, New Delhi and West Delhi areas. Traffic restrictions and diversions were also introduced to manage the gatherings.
Bengaluru police reveal new details in Siddaramaiah sting-video case
In Bengaluru, the investigation into an alleged sting video targeting Siddaramaiah gained attention after Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh spoke about the movement of a mobile phone allegedly used to upload the video.
According to the commissioner, an accused named Ritesh Pandey told investigators that he and another person, Vinod Sharma, had purchased a mobile phone from a shop in Delhi’s Karol Bagh area on the instructions of Prajwal Prasad.
Pandey allegedly stated that the two later took the handset to Kumaraswamy’s official residence on Kushak Road in New Delhi and handed it over to Prasad, who was present there.
The commissioner clarified that the information was based on Pandey’s statement and that investigators were still verifying the claims. Police have issued notices to Sharma and Prasad, who have not responded, according to the commissioner. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage, digital records and financial transactions between the individuals.
Police continue to examine the video and its circulation
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) is investigating the recording, transfer and online circulation of the alleged sting video. The footage reportedly surfaced on social media in September 2026, although it was allegedly recorded in 2023 and purportedly relates to an incident from 2011.
Bengaluru police had earlier stated that the evidence collected during the investigation did not substantiate the sexual-abuse allegations portrayed in the video. The police described the narrative as fabricated and deliberately constructed, while stating that the investigation was continuing.
The original phone allegedly used to record the footage has reportedly been recovered and sent for forensic examination. Investigators are also tracing how the video was transferred and uploaded through different devices and online accounts.
The latest revelations have added another dimension to the political controversy, with the investigation examining the alleged roles of people associated with the social media operations linked to the case. Police have maintained that the statements and technical evidence must be verified before conclusions are drawn.