The political controversy surrounding Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s involvement in a gold smuggling case has intensified, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress engaged in a heated exchange of allegations. The case, which has already exposed potential political and bureaucratic connections, took a new turn as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) uncovered critical digital evidence from Ranya’s mobile phone and laptop, shedding light on her communications, financial transactions, and potential ties to an organized smuggling network.
Ranya, who was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for attempting to smuggle gold from Dubai, is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, currently serving as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. Investigators have reportedly found contact numbers of several high-profile individuals, including present and former ministers, as well as police officials, in her phone records. Authorities are now scrutinizing her call logs and messages to determine if she had political backing or was part of a larger operation spanning multiple states.
The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) issued a clarification on Sunday regarding allegations that Ranya’s company, Ksiroda India Private Limited, had been allotted industrial land during the tenure of the previous BJP-led government. According to KIADB, the land in question—12 acres at Sira Industrial Area in Tumakuru district—was sanctioned in January 2023, months before the Congress took power. However, Minister MB Patil pointed out that the land was never officially allocated, as the company failed to make the required payment, dismissing claims that the Congress played a role in the allotment.
BJP ACCUSES CONGRESS MINISTERS OF SHIELDING RANYA
BJP state president BY Vijayendra has intensified attacks on the Congress, demanding that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reveal the names of ministers allegedly involved in the smuggling racket. He claimed that Ranya had traveled abroad more than 30 times in recent months and had received VIP treatment upon her return, including police protocol at the airport. He argued that this indicated political interference at the highest levels, suggesting that her connections within the ruling party facilitated her movements without scrutiny.
Vijayendra further alleged that if Ranya was allowed to bypass regular security checks at the airport, it strongly suggested the involvement of influential individuals, including senior ministers. He called for a public disclosure of the names of hawala operators, smuggling syndicates, and political figures—including sitting MLAs and former ministers—who might have aided or benefited from the racket.
BJP MLA Bharat Shetty went a step further, claiming that two Congress ministers had attempted to intervene in Ranya’s arrest to protect her from legal consequences. “During her detention, she tried reaching out to multiple Congress leaders. It is now widely known that two ministers actively tried to get her off the hook,” he alleged. Shetty insisted that only a CBI-led investigation would unearth the full extent of the political links in the case.
Senior BJP leader CT Ravi echoed these concerns, demanding a probe into the financial transactions related to the smuggling network. He raised questions about reports of a mysterious ₹50 lakh “gift” allegedly linked to Ranya’s activities and likened the scandal to Kerala’s infamous gold smuggling case, questioning whether Karnataka was now witnessing its own version of a politically shielded smuggling operation.
CONGRESS HITS BACK, QUESTIONS BJP’S LAND SANCTION
Congress leaders, in response, turned the tables on the BJP, questioning how Ranya’s company was allotted land under the previous government. Minister MB Patil reiterated that the allotment was approved under BJP rule and that the company had failed to complete the formalities required to take possession of the land. He insisted that the BJP must explain why Ksiroda India Private Limited was even considered eligible for industrial land allocation, given that it lacked a credible business record.
Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad accused the BJP of hypocrisy, stating that if the party was serious about exposing corruption, it should start by clarifying why the land deal was pushed through under its administration. “Is Ranya Rao an industrialist or a smuggler? If the BJP is questioning our government’s stance, then they must first explain why they facilitated land allotment to someone allegedly involved in illegal activities,” he said.
Legal advisor to the Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, also dismissed BJP’s allegations, stating that if Vijayendra was so eager to implicate Congress leaders, he should first name the BJP minister responsible for sanctioning the land to Ranya’s company. “This entire issue originated during the BJP’s tenure. The onus is on them to answer the fundamental questions before pointing fingers at the Congress,” he argued.
As the investigation progresses, the political blame game continues to escalate, with both parties attempting to leverage the controversy to discredit each other ahead of the upcoming elections. With the DRI probing deeper into Ranya Rao’s financial dealings, frequent foreign trips, and alleged political connections, more revelations could emerge that might further entangle key figures from both sides of the aisle.
