The gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao took a political twist on Monday after allegations surfaced that she contacted two Congress leaders to evade the law immediately after her arrest. The BJP leaders have accused that Rao got in touch with "two ministers" in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government seeking help.
BJP leader and MLA Y Bharath Shetty told reporters that Ranya these ministers also tried to help her. State BJP president Vijayendra also hinted at the involvement of a prominent minister in the case.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Bharath Shetty Y. on actress Ranya Rao gold smuggling case says, "First and foremost, regarding the smuggling case—when she was caught committing the crime, she attempted to contact certain Congress ministers, seeking their influence to escape the… pic.twitter.com/loHBJKqqk5
— IANS (@ians_india) March 10, 2025
BJP member Sunil Kumar too raised the issue during Zero Hour in the Assembly, alleging that the state government was trying to protect someone." "There are allegations that a minister is involved in this case. Who are the influential people and the officials who helped her," Sunil Kumar demanded answers. He also questioned how the police officials escorted the daughter of an IPS official.
"How can the Home Minister not know that such a large amount of gold has been smuggled? There is an attempt to protect someone behind this," he added.
Meanwhile, the development that the previous BJP government allocated 12 acres of land to a firm linked to the actor in 2023 has put the saffron party under the radar. Many speculate that this couldn't have happened without the involvement of a senior BJP minister or leader.
The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has confirmed that the previous BJP government allotted 12 acres of industrial land to Ranya's firm Ksiroda India at the Sira Industrial Area in the Tumakuru district. "The government is pleased to accord in-principle approval to the investment proposal of Rs 138 crore, generating employment to about 160 persons with the following infrastructure assistances, incentives and concessions," the notification issued on February 22, 2023, read.
The firm is said to set up a manufacturing unit for steel TMT bars, rods, and allied products.
