Two Ministers are involved in gold smuggling case, says Yatnal

BJP leader reveals State Cabinet involvement in gold smuggling, denies Union government responsibility, promises Assembly session revelations.

“I have information about two State Ministers being involved in the gold smuggling case in which actor Ranya Rao has been arrested. I will reveal their names in the Assembly session on Monday,” BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said on Sunday.

“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 told reporters in Vijayapura.

He said that it is 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 gold smuggling case cannot be seen as a failure of the Union government agency as two State Cabinet members protected the accused.