Karnataka Gold Smuggling: BJP Links CM Siddaramaiah to Accused Actress Ranya Rao As Case Gets Murkier

BJP leader Amit Malviya on Wednesday shared an alleged photograph of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with gold smuggling suspect Ranya Rao on X, claiming that the case had now implicated the Congress leader.

His remarks followed BJP's accusations that senior government officials had been assisting the actress in her alleged smuggling operations.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/RanyaRao

"The Ranya Rao gold smuggling case in Karnataka has now reached the doorstep of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This dated photo also features the current Home Minister, G. Parmeshwara. Ironically, the man dismissing any political links is none other than Congress's CM-in-waiting, DK Shivakumar," Amit Malviya posted on X.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, was apprehended by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for attempting to smuggle over 14 kilograms of gold through Bengaluru airport. She allegedly strapped gold bars to her waist and thighs and concealed pieces of the precious metal inside her shoes.

Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of DGP-rank officer K. Ramachandra Rao. Reports suggest that she had travelled to Dubai 30 times in a year, attracting the attention of investigative agencies.

Key Details About Ranya Rao Case

The Karnataka government has assigned Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to investigate the potential involvement of DGP-rank officer K. Ramachandra Rao in Ranya Rao's alleged gold smuggling activities.

The officer has denied any association with his stepdaughter's dealings, stating he was unaware of Ranya Rao and her husband's business affairs.

Additionally, the government has ordered a CID inquiry into possible negligence and misconduct by police personnel stationed at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

"ACS Gaurav Gupta has been appointed as the Investigating Officer to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the use of protocol-related facilities and the role of the Director General of Police, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Corporation, in this case," the official order states.

The investigation follows media reports alleging that Ranya Rao misused the special facilities reserved for senior officials at airports.

"It was also reported that Ranya exploited the protocol services provided to her by her father, Ramachandra Rao, IPS... and used another individual's name and address, along with these services, to evade security checks at airports," the order further mentioned.

On March 3, the DRI confiscated gold bars valued at ₹12.56 crore from Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport. The following day, officials seized gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash from her Bengaluru residence.