Synopsis
The BJP has called for the Karnataka government to disclose the identities of ministers allegedly connected with actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested for gold smuggling, during a heated session in the Legislative Assembly. Home Minister G. Parameshwara's responses have been met with skepticism.Key Takeaways
- BJP demands transparency on ministerial involvement.
- Ranya Rao's arrest tied to alleged gold smuggling.
- Home Minister claims ignorance of key details.
- Accusations of police complicity in the scandal.
- Opposition seeks accountability from the government.
Bengaluru, March 10 (NationPress) The BJP brought to light the arrest of actress Ranya Rao in connection with a gold smuggling scandal during a session in the Legislative Assembly on Monday. They called upon the Karnataka government to reveal the names of the ministers allegedly colluding with the actress in this case.
As BJP leaders confronted Home Minister G. Parameshwara for claiming he lacked information on the matter, the assembly witnessed a brief period of chaos.
BJP MLA and General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar initiated the topic during the ‘Zero Hour’, demanding the government disclose the names of ministers supposedly involved in the gold smuggling operation.
“It is believed that the police department facilitated the gold smuggling. The government must unveil the minister responsible for this,” MLA Sunil Kumar asserted.
In response, Home Minister Parameshwara indicated that the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the Union government.
“We only possess the same information as you do regarding this case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should determine which minister has played a role,” HM Parameshwara stated.
Sunil Kumar retorted, questioning how the Home Minister could claim ignorance about the situation.
Parameshwara responded that the state police are looking into what lies within their jurisdiction, and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has not provided any details concerning the case.
MLA Sunil Kumar accused the government of shielding someone implicated in the scandal.
As tensions escalated, Speaker U.T. Khader intervened, advising the BJP leaders that the matter is under investigation, and they could seek further information from the Home Minister in his office.
Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, insisted that the government should clarify the state police department's role in providing escort to Ranya Rao.
“They should set aside the investigations by the DRI and the CBI,” he remarked.
At this stage, HM Parameshwara stated that any oversights by the police department would be thoroughly examined.
Ranya Rao, an actress and the stepdaughter of a serving senior IPS officer, a DGP, was apprehended at the Bengaluru International Airport last Monday for gold smuggling.
