Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has sparked controversy with a vulgar remark regarding Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested in a gold smuggling case. Yatnal alleged that Rao concealed gold “wherever she had holes” to smuggle it into the country.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport upon her arrival from Dubai. Authorities reportedly seized 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore concealed on her person.
Following her arrest, a raid on her residence led to the discovery of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. Ranya Rao has denied the allegations, claiming she was coerced into signing documents and subjected to physical assault by officials.
Yatnal, a former Union Minister, further claimed that state ministers were involved in the smuggling operation and vowed to disclose their names during the Assembly session. He stated, “I have gathered complete information about her relationships, who helped her obtain security, and how the gold was brought in. I will expose everything in the session.”
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has dismissed allegations of ministerial involvement, labeling them as “political gossip.”
Basangouda Patil Yatnal is known for his outspoken comments. In 2023, the Election Commission issued a notice to him for referring to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as a “vishkanya.”
