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The high-profile case has turned into a major flashpoint between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka, putting the ruling party under increasing pressure to reveal those allegedly shielding Kannada actor Ranya Rao
The DRI arrested Kannada actor Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg gold from Dubai on March 3. (Image: X/File)
Amid an escalating political slugfest over the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, the BJP has intensified its attack on the Congress government in Karnataka demanding full disclosure of the Kannada actor’s political links.
The high-profile case has turned into a major flashpoint, putting the ruling Congress under increasing pressure to reveal those allegedly shielding Ranya Rao. Calling it an “unprecedented” case in India’s history, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reveal the names of ministers whom he alleged were connected to the racket.
The BJP alleged that when Ranya was caught, she had reached out to two Congress ministers – allegations that have put the Congress on the defensive. The opposition further pointed to reports suggesting that she had travelled to Dubai and other countries more than 30 times in the last few months. And each time she returned to Bengaluru, she allegedly received VIP protocol treatment at the airport, raising questions on high-level involvement.
Ranya, who is the daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. The CBI is now investigating the case.
State home minister Dr G Parameshwara countered the BJP’s allegations, insisting that the CBI should be allowed to complete its investigation. “Let the CBI come out with its findings. Till then, this is all speculation,” he said, while also taking a swipe at the saffron party by calling for a probe into land allotments made to the actor under the Basavaraj Bommai-led government.
But, Vijayendra alleged that government protocols were blatantly violated to enable Ranya to smuggle gold worth over Rs 12 crore. “This could not have happened without the direct support of highly influential people in the government. If these reports are true, it raises serious questions about how deep this nexus runs,” he said, adding, “the truth will come out, and any coverup will only expose the government’s complicity.”
On allegations over land allotted to Ranya’s company during BJP rule, party MLA Bharat Shetty hit back by dismissing the claims as baseless. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) CEO Mahesh said Ksiroda India Pvt Ltd, a company linked to the accused actor, was allotted 12 acres of land in Sira industrial area in Tumakuru district on January 2, 2023.
“There was no illegality in the land allotment. The process was followed correctly,” Shetty said, adding that the CBI probe will cover all aspects of the case.
