Synopsis
The BJP in Karnataka has alleged that the Congress government is directly involved in the gold smuggling case concerning actress Ranya Rao. The accusations raise questions about government protocol and potential Ministerial involvement as investigations progress.Key Takeaways
- BJP alleges Congress government involvement in gold smuggling.
- Ranya Rao arrested with significant gold and cash.
- Investigation by CBI and CID underway.
- Protocol privileges questioned for Ranya Rao.
- Political tensions escalate over the case.
Bengaluru, March 11 (NationPress) The BJP in Karnataka on Tuesday accused the Congress-led state government of having a direct involvement in the gold smuggling scandal linked to Kannada actress Ranya Rao.
The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, made allegations in Bengaluru, stating: "Ranya Rao was consistently accompanied in a police jeep. Following the gold smuggling incident, she was given a lift in a police vehicle to her home. Our assertion is that the Congress-led government is directly implicated in this matter."
LoP Ashoka further queried, "How was she (Ranya Rao) afforded protocol and escort services? All these details require investigation. The government stands guilty. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is already looking into the case. They should conduct an impartial investigation, and any Ministers associated with this racket must face consequences."
In response to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's statement denying Ministerial involvement in the gold smuggling case and claiming the allegations were politically motivated, the LoP asked, "What authority does Shivakumar have to absolve a Minister before the inquiry? This suggests he is influencing the authorities to exonerate the accused. How can anyone be declared innocent prior to the investigation's conclusion?"
LoP Ashoka asserted that investigations indicate the involvement of Ministers, supported by public sentiment.
"If no one is involved, why the discussion of a clean chit? This seems like a tactic to redirect the police investigation," he alleged.
BJP General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar accused the state government of trying to bury the Ranya Rao case.
He questioned, "The Home Minister claims ignorance regarding the gold smuggling case. Where was the gold, supposedly brought to Bengaluru airport, intended to go? Was it destined for Sadashivanagar or Chamarajpet in Bengaluru?"
He further alleged a calculated effort to close the case.
"For four days, reports have indicated the involvement of two Ministers. How did an actress, the daughter of an IPS officer, receive the same protocol privileges as Cabinet Ministers? The government is directly implicated. It must be disclosed whom the imprisoned actress contacted while in the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)," he demanded.
Sunil Kumar also compared the Congress government's situation to the Kerala gold smuggling scandal, stating, "The Congress government is gradually becoming ensnared in the gold smuggling case similar to the Kerala government."
State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra commented, "There’s no smoke without fire. It’s inconceivable to smuggle gold on such a scale without political support. This is a serious issue."
Responding to the accusations, State Labour Welfare Minister Santhosh Lad challenged, "Who is overseeing the airport? Were they unaware while the gold was being smuggled? How was the protocol breach permitted inside the airport? Where did the gold originate? Let the CBI investigate all facets of this case."
Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge challenged BJP leaders to specify which Ministers were allegedly involved in the gold smuggling affair.
He also referenced earlier claims by BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who alleged that State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra often travels to Dubai and has made substantial investments there.
Priyank Kharge stated, "Let the BJP provide details, and the government will take action. They should cease making unfounded allegations."
Meanwhile, Home Minister G. Parameshwara briefed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the developments regarding the case.
After the briefing, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a private 20-minute meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar concerning the case, which poses a threat to the government's reputation, sources confirmed.
Under pressure, the Karnataka government has assigned the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and ordered an inquiry by a senior IAS officer against DGP K. Ramachandra Rao, the stepfather of the imprisoned actress Ranya Rao.
Actress Ranya Rao was arrested for gold smuggling and for misusing her father Ramachandra Rao's name to avoid security checks by utilizing the protocol reserved for high-ranking officials.
The DRI officials apprehended Ranya Rao after recovering 14.8 kg of gold from her at the Bengaluru International Airport.
The agency also seized Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her luxurious Lavelle Road apartment, where she reportedly paid Rs 4.5 lakh in rent.
Karnataka DGP for State Police Housing Corporation, Ramchandra Rao, expressed his devastation in response to the arrest of his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao, stating he was caught off guard by this event.
