A very shocking incident unfolded in Karnataka on Monday. BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has sparked a new controversy with his vulgar remarks about Kannada actress Ranya Rao. The actress who is currently under investigation in a gold smuggling case.
The MLA from Bijapur City, Yatnal made headlines with his comments made during a press briefing. The remarks were regarding Ranya Rao’s alleged involvement in smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore at Bengaluru Airport.
Yatnal’s Vulgar Remark
“Will name all the ministers involved in this case in the Assembly session. 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”, Yatnal remarked.
VIDEO | Bengaluru: BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal on Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, says, “Will name all the ministers involved in this case in the Assembly session. I have gathered complete information about her relationships, who helped her obtain security, and how the gold… pic.twitter.com/DF64D0RnNW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2025
The BJP MLA also said “Whoever is guilty must be held accountable, can we defend someone just because they are a central government employee? There were lapses by customs officials, and necessary action should be taken against them. Rao had gold all over her body, hiding it wherever she had holes, and smuggled it in.”
Involvement of Ministers in Smuggling Case
Yatnal boldly stated that he had collected information about the Gold smuggling case. He further claimed that he would reveal the names of ministers allegedly linked to the operation during the upcoming state assembly session.
The MLA alleged that several ministers were involved in the smuggling case. However, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar dismissed these claims. He said this is “political gossip,” and conspiracy to defame him. He further rejected any links between his ministers and the actress Ranya Rao.
The Gold Smuggling Case
Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The actress was caught attempting to smuggle gold hidden in her clothing. Furthermore, the investigators revealed that she was allegedly using her stepfather’s influence, a senior police officer, to bypass airport security checks.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a raid seizing gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore and other valuables from her residence. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have registered cases against the actress. Ranya is booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other charges.
Assault Allegations by Ranya Rao
Amid the ongoing investigation around the case, Ranya Rao has made serious allegations against DRI officials. The actress accused them of physically assaulting her during her detention and during the questioning. “I was slapped multiple times and coerced into signing blank papers”, Ranya wrote in a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of the DRI.
