'Phoned two ministers just before arrest'; BJP, Congress at loggerheads over Ranya Rao case

BENGALURU: Congress and BJP are at loggerheads in Karnataka over Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested for smuggling gold worth crores. The Congress alleged the previous BJP government allotted a 12-acre plot in Karnataka to a company owned by Ranya was illegal. At the same time, BJP alleged that Ranya sought the help of two Congress ministers from the state after being caught for gold smuggling.

Congress alleged that the previous Bommai government allotted 12 acres in the industrial area of Tumakuru to a company in which Ranya Rao had a stake. The land worth crores belongs to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).

Meanwhile, BJP state president Vijayendra revealed that Ranya called two Congress ministers moments before she was caught in the smuggling case.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should reveal who these ministers are and their relationship with Ranya. With the help of prominent people in the government, gold worth crores was brought to the state.” Vijayendra said the Congress government would stand exposed if the case were to be handed over to CBI.

Ranya, who is also the adopted daughter of Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao, was caught by the DRI last week while smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai. During a search conducted at the actress' house, around two crore rupees and gold ornaments were recovered. Ranya, who was in DRI custody, was remanded on Monday by the court as the custody period has expired.

Development Board CEO Mahesh confirmed that Ranya’s partner firm 'Siroda India' was allotted 12 acres in January 2023. It was stated in the application that a steel plant will be established with an investment of 138 crore rupees, which will employ 300 people.

Ranya and her brother are the directors of the company. The land was allotted to the company in the Single Window Clearance Committee meeting held on January 2, 2023. But no construction work has started yet.