What is a sting operation?
A sting operation is a deceptive operation designed to catch a criminal in the act. Typically, the police lay a trap for the suspect wherein he/she is induced to commit a crime. Usually the criminal act is recorded on a video camera so that the police can build a foolproof case against the offender. For example, an undercover police officer may approach a suspected drug dealer posing as a prospective buyer in order to catch him red-handed. Or the police may keep a bait car in an area where large-scale theft is happening.
Often a sting operation is carried out to expose corruption. It may, for example, expose a politician taking bribe, or a government official demanding money to do his duty.
In recent years many media houses have made effective use of stings to expose highly-placed corrupt persons. But sometimes the media is also accused of carrying out sensational sting operations in which innocent persons are victimised. Some people think it is unethical to tempt a person to commit a crime which he/she may not have otherwise committed.
In India too, we have had a number of stings carried out by journalists and activists.
