Two Ministers are involved in gold smuggling case, says Yatnal

I will reveal their names during the Legislature session, according to the BJP leader

BJP leader Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal on Sunday stated that he had information about two Ministers being involved in the gold smuggling case in which actor Ranya Rao was arrested.

“I will reveal their names in the Assembly session on Monday,” Mr. Yatnal told presspersons in Vijayapura.

“I have obtained all information regarding the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. I know which Ministers are supporting the actress, who helped her get official protocol support like exemption from checking and also, vehicles and security. I also know from where she used to get the gold, where she hid it, and where and to whom she sold it. I will reveal all this in the Assembly,” he said.

He said that it was wrong to hold the Union government responsible for the smuggling incident.

“Union Ministers are not involved in the incident. I am sure about that. But I know which two members of the State Cabinet are involved,” he said.

To a query, he said that he knew that all airports are managed by the Airports Authority of India which is a Union government agency. “If it is found that Customs officers are involved, then I will not support them,” he said.

He, however, argued that this case cannot be seen as a failure of the Union government agency as two State Cabinet members protected the accused.

“It is true that the BJP government sanctioned land for Ranya Rao’s proposed industrial venture. BJP leader Murugesh Nirani has agreed that he sanctioned land to her company when he was the Minister for Industries. But then the land has not been transferred as the actress did not pay the requisite amount of money,” Mr. Yatnal said.

Published - March 16, 2025 07:52 pm IST