Bengaluru, October 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that an industrialist who met him wearing Meta AI smart glasses may have been attempting to secretly record their conversation as part of a suspected sting operation targeting him and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
In a recent interview with a Kannada television channel, Shivakumar said he became suspicious when the industrialist, who had secured an appointment through government officials, shifted the discussion from business matters to political strategies, including booth-level management and developments within political circles.
The Chief Minister said the nature of the conversation, combined with the individual's spectacles, prompted him to question the purpose of the meeting. However, he did not publicly present verifiable evidence establishing that the glasses had recorded the discussion or that a sting operation had been conclusively carried out.
“God has given me power. When they came to conduct a sting operation on me, nobody told me about it,” Shivakumar said during the interview. He added that his experience of meeting thousands of people had helped him assess the intentions of those who approached him.
Recalling the meeting, Shivakumar said the industrialist initially discussed business, as expected, but later took him to an antechamber and opened a laptop. According to the Chief Minister, the conversation subsequently shifted towards political matters, with the visitor explaining booth-level strategies and other political developments in considerable detail.
“He should have spoken to me about business, but he started discussing politics,” Shivakumar said, adding that the individual spoke like a political psephologist. He said he became suspicious after observing the person's behaviour and noticing the smart glasses.
Background Check Raises Further Questions
Shivakumar said he subsequently directed officials to examine the industrialist's background and gather information about his meetings with other political leaders.
According to the Chief Minister, the information collected during the exercise indicated that the industrialist had worn Meta smart glasses during meetings with him and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. He alleged that the individual had not worn the glasses during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a Union Minister.
Shivakumar also referred to a meeting with an IT Minister at which, he claimed, the industrialist had not worn the glasses.
“He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to V.D. Satheesan and me,” Shivakumar said, describing the alleged pattern as a reason for his suspicion.
The Chief Minister did not identify the industrialist or name anyone allegedly involved in the suspected operation. He also did not publicly disclose evidence establishing that the glasses had been used to record either conversation.
Shivakumar said he had obtained documents and maintained records relating to the episode but would reveal further details only when he considered the timing appropriate.
“I knew who had been given the task. I have obtained documents and kept records. Not now. When the time comes, I will speak about it,” he said.
Karnataka CM Says Precautionary Measures Taken
Asked why no action had been taken against those allegedly involved, Shivakumar rejected the suggestion that the authorities had remained inactive.
“Who said no action has been taken? You just don't know. We are not disclosing it, that's all. We have taken all precautionary measures,” he said.
He declined to elaborate on the measures allegedly taken or disclose whether a formal investigation or proceedings had been initiated.
Shivakumar further claimed that there was a plan to conduct sting operations targeting ministers in his Cabinet. He warned that attempts could be made to entrap ministers through people working around them, telephone calls or other means.
The Chief Minister said he had cautioned his Cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant and avoid situations that could expose them to suspected entrapment.
“I knew that there was a plan to carry out sting operations against ministers around me. I knew who had been given the task. I indeed cautioned my Cabinet colleagues,” he said, explaining that he had a responsibility to alert members of his government.
He reiterated that he had documented the episode and possessed information about individuals who might have been involved, but declined to reveal names or records at this stage.
Meta AI Glasses and Political Surveillance Concerns
The allegations have drawn attention to the potential use of wearable technology, including AI-enabled smart glasses, during meetings involving political leaders. Depending on the model and configuration, such devices can incorporate cameras and microphones, but their presence alone does not establish that a conversation was recorded.
Shivakumar's account has not, by itself, established that the industrialist recorded either meeting or that a coordinated operation targeting the two Chief Ministers took place.
The Karnataka government has not publicly detailed the alleged operation, the identities of those suspected of organising it or the precautionary measures Shivakumar said had been taken.
