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Ranya Rao gold smuggling case sparks political clash in Karnataka Assembly

  •   Thu, Mar 20 2025 09:45:35 AM

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 20: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on Wednesday over the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of DGP K Ramachandra Rao. The opposition BJP and the ruling Congress locked horns over alleged lapses in law enforcement and possible political links to the smuggling operation.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar questioned how the arrested actress was able to travel 25 times without scrutiny, despite 14 kilograms of gold being seized upon her recent arrest. He alleged serious lapses on the part of customs officials and demanded a thorough investigation into the role of law enforcement agencies.

“There has been a failure on the part of the customs department. It is evident that gold smuggling is rampant in Bengaluru, and the involvement of a senior officer cannot be ruled out. This matter must be probed thoroughly,” Sunil Kumar said.

He further raised concerns over the assignment of police constable Basavaraj to protocol duty for Ranya Rao on all 25 occasions. “Why was the same officer consistently assigned to her? Was he complicit, or was he merely following orders? Typically, protocol duties rotate, yet Basavaraj remained a constant in this case. Who directed this?” he questioned.

Highlighting the misuse of official privileges, he demanded that the government disclose the names of other actresses who had received protocol services at Bengaluru International Airport. “Where did the smuggled gold end up? If Basavaraj is questioned, won’t he reveal the truth? The public is speculating about ministerial involvement,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka took a jibe at Congress, suggesting that infighting within the ruling party was leading to internal exposures. “Some Congress members are stirring controversy to move up the ranks as certain seats are expected to be vacated,” he remarked. He also alleged that Constable Basavaraj bypassed airport security to escort the actress directly from the customs area.

Congress legislators countered by questioning the role of central agencies in airport security. “Who controls the airport? Why couldn’t central authorities prevent this?” they argued.

Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge called on BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to name the Congress ministers he had previously accused of involvement in the smuggling case. “If he has the names, he should reveal them here or submit them to the investigating agencies,” he said.

Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also weighed in, arguing that immigration authorities are responsible for security checks before protocol services come into play. “What were the Customs officials doing?” he questioned.

The Enforcement Directorate and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao after seizing 14.8 kg of gold from her at Bengaluru International Airport. Further investigations led to the confiscation of Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her luxury apartment on Lavelle Road, where she reportedly paid Rs 4.5 lakh in monthly rent.

Following the controversy, the Karnataka government placed DGP K Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave on March 15, pending further inquiry into his possible links to the case.



 

 

 
  

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