Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 12: Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra raised concerns on Wednesday about the scale of gold smuggling involving actress Ranya Rao, questioning how much gold she could have smuggled into India during her multiple trips between Dubai and Bengaluru.
Speaking at Vidhana Soudha, Vijayendra pointed out the gravity of the case, saying, "This is the largest-scale gold smuggling we have ever encountered in Karnataka. The daughter of a senior IPS officer made 30 to 40 trips to Dubai, and each time, she received VIP treatment in Bengaluru. She was allowed to bypass security checks, and no one could stop her."
Vijayendra highlighted that when arrested, Ranya Rao was found with gold worth Rs 14 crore. "Given her frequent travel between Bengaluru and Dubai, how much gold could she have smuggled? What role could hawala money have played? And who are the influential people involved? There are allegations of ministerial involvement, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a detailed probe into the matter," he added.
He stressed that the issue needs to be brought up in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for further discussion.
When questioned about BJP MLA S.T. Somashekar's claims that BJP leaders might be implicated in the gold smuggling case, Vijayendra responded, "It’s clear why MLA Somashekar is supporting the Congress-led government. We have already decided on his case at the state level, and the national leadership has been informed. We await their decision."
Vijayendra also mentioned that several other important issues need the state government's attention. "There's an ongoing price hike, protests from Anganwadi and ASHA workers, and agitation by guest lecturers. The state government is failing to address their demands. Additionally, new universities are being shut down, and there is the issue of gold smuggling. We will raise all these issues in the Assembly," he stated.
Ranya Rao was arrested last Monday by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials for gold smuggling when she arrived at Bengaluru International Airport. In response, the state government has initiated two separate investigations to probe her father's role—DGP K. Ramachandra Rao—in granting her protocol privileges and police escorts.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and a senior IAS officer are conducting these investigations, while the CBI and DRI are also involved in the case.