Source Credit: IANS
The entire legislative assembly in Karnataka was thrown into disarray on March 10, 2025, with the BJP raising alarm bells with respect to the alleged involvement of actress Ranya Rao in a gold-smuggling racket.
Senior BJP leaders like MLA V. Sunil Kumar demanded to make the names of the ministers allegedly colluding with Rao public by the state government.
Last week, Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for her connection with a racket that smuggled gold into India. BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, participating during the ''Zero Hour,'' expressed doubts on the police department being in the know regarding providing protocol to carry out the smuggling operation and wanted the government to disclose under which minister's command this act was being carried out.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara, on the other hand, mentioned that the investigation is within the purview of the Union government and that, as of now, the state government only has the information that is in the public realm. He added that perhaps the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should take over the investigation to unearth any minister's involvement in the matter. Parameshwara's remarks invited criticism by BJP, with Sunil Kumar alleging covering-up by the government.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka pitched in too, asking why allegedly the police department was escorting Rao. Parameshwara assured that if there was any lapse on the part of the police, an inquiry would take place.
The matter got heated and Speaker U.T. Khader had to come in and remind the members that since it was an ongoing investigation, they ought to have given their comments at the Home Minister level alone.
