Gold smuggling case: Ranya Rao's Rs 40L dues cleared; probe leads ED to Karnataka minister G Parameshwara

Ranya Rao and Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara

Making headway in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered an intricate network involving financial irregularities and suspected money laundering activities.

The probe agency, which conducted raids at multiple locations in Karnataka on Wednesday, has found a connection between the actor and state home minister G Parameshwara. Raids were carried out across some 16 locations in the state under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) targeting hawala operators, shell companies and accommodation entry operators who allegedly made fake financial transactions into Ranya Rao's accounts.

As part of the probe into the gold smuggling case, one such raid was carried out at a medical institution in Tumakuru. The educational trust, according to the agency, is suspected to have 'diverted' funds and made a payment of Rs 40 lakh towards the credit card bill of Rao. However, it could not provide any documentation to justify the payment.

The payment was allegedly cleared on the instructions of an 'influential' individual. The trust in question is linked to Parameshwara and the influential individual is a politically exposed person, news agency PTI said quoting sources.

Also read | Gold smuggling case: Actor Ranya Rao granted bail, but will remain behind bars

Condemning the searches at institutions linked to Parameshwara, Congress alleged that the probe agency's actions were being undertaken at the behest of PM Narendra Modi and reflect the politics of vendetta.

"The INC condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the ED raids on the Home Minister of Karnataka. Dr. G Parameshwara is one of the senior-most political leaders of the country who has made great contributions to the cause of education, particularly that of the weaker sections of society. The ED actions undertaken at the behest of the prime minister himself reflect the politics of harassment, vendetta, and intimidation of which he is the master. The BJP is clearly nervous and worried by the achievements of the Karnataka government over the past two years," Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said.

Some hawala operators who facilitated illegal foreign exchange movement for gold procurement were also searched and they reportedly 'admitted' to dealings with Ranya Rao. The buyers have accepted having bought gold from her and selling it to jewellers, said ED sources.

One of the companies, the sources added, has even shown the Kannada actor to be a supplier of construction labour and paid her few crores.

Ranya Rao, who was arrested in March from Kempegowda International Airport, was on Tuesday granted bail by a special court for Economic Offences in Bengaluru in connection with the gold smuggling case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars weighing 14.2kg, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore upon her arrival from Dubai.

Days after her arrest, BJP leader Amit Malviya had shared pictures of Parameshwara and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah attending Ranya Rao's wedding. "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," he had posted on X.