Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 10: The issue of actress Ranya Rao's arrest in a gold smuggling case took center stage in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday, as the BJP demanded that the state government reveal the names of ministers allegedly connected to the case.
The House erupted in chaos after BJP leaders criticized Home Minister G. Parameshwara for claiming he lacked information on the matter. BJP MLA and General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar raised the issue during the Zero Hour, demanding transparency from the government regarding the involvement of ministers in the gold smuggling incident.
"It is suspected that the police department facilitated the gold smuggling. The government must disclose which minister is behind this," said MLA Sunil Kumar.
In response, Home Minister Parameshwara clarified that the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Union government. "We are aware of as much as you are regarding the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should look into which minister was involved," Parameshwara stated.
Sunil Kumar questioned the Home Minister's claim of being unaware of the details, to which Parameshwara replied that the state police were only handling matters within their jurisdiction, and that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had not shared any information about the case.
Accusing the government of protecting those involved, Sunil Kumar's remarks fueled further tension in the Assembly. As the situation escalated, Speaker U.T. Khader intervened, urging the BJP leaders to approach the Home Minister's office for more information, as the investigation was ongoing.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka also raised concerns, specifically about the state police department's role in providing an escort to Ranya Rao. "Set aside the investigations by DRI and CBI," Ashoka demanded.
At this point, Home Minister Parameshwara assured that any lapses by the police department would be investigated thoroughly.
Ranya Rao, an actress and the stepdaughter of a serving senior IPS officer, was arrested last Monday at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold.