BJP Alleges Involvement Of Siddaramaiah Government Ministers In Ranya Rao`s Gold Smuggling Case-OxBig News Network

Days after the arrest of actor Ranya Rao from Bengaluru airport in connection with gold smuggling, the BJP alleged that the actor approached ministers in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government to wriggle out of trouble. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra stated that the alleged “blatant violation” of protocols, which reportedly allowed Ranya Rao to smuggle gold “could not have happened without the direct support of influential figures within the government.”

“Ranya Rao is also the daughter of a highest police officer. Against this backdrop, the chief ministers insist on the reality of the case to the people. If the ministers are involved in the case, the information is already in the hands of the chief ministers,” Vijayendra said, ANI reported.

State BJP president Vijayendra shared a post on X in which he referred to media reports suggesting the involvement of a prominent minister in the matter, adding that these reports come as no surprise, “given this government’s track record of churning out scandals in increasingly ‘innovative’ ways”.

“The blatant violation of government protocols that allegedly enabled Ranya Rao to smuggle gold worth over Rs 12 crore – and possibly much more in the past – could not have happened without the direct support of influential figures within the government. If these reports are true, it raises serious questions about how deep this nexus runs,” the state BJP chief said.

“As Chief Minister, @siddaramaiah would have received intelligence reports pinpointing the suspected ministers and their involvement. Any attempt by the government to shield those responsible will only backfire, especially with the CBI now stepping in. The truth will come out, and any cover-up will only further expose the government’s complicity in this grievous offence,” Mr Vijayendra added.

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold into India from Dubai.