“She Hide Gold Wherever She Had Holes” BJP MLA’s Vulgar Remark on Ranya Rao Sparks Outrage in Gold Smuggling Case
Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal stirred controversy with a vulgar remark against actor Ranya Rao, arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold, alleging she hide it “wherever she had holes.” The statement, made amid demands for action in the high-profile case, has drawn sharp attention as investigations deepen.
Yatnal, speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, claimed, “She had gold all over her body, hiding it wherever she had holes, and smuggled it in.” He vowed to expose state ministers allegedly linked to the case during the Assembly session.
Ranya Rao was detained on March 3 at Bengaluru Airport with gold worth Rs 12.56 crore, arriving from Dubai. A raid on her home uncovered Rs 2.06 crore in jewellery and Rs 2.67 crore in cash, intensifying the probe.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) found Rao made 27 trips to Dubai this year, allegedly bypassing security protocols. The airport Protocol Officer stated he acted on instructions from her stepfather, DGP Ramchandra Rao.
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In a letter to the DRI’s Additional Director General, Rao denied the charges, alleging assault by officials. She claimed, “I was slapped 10 to 15 times and forced to sign 50 to 60 pre-typed papers and 40 blank sheets.”
Ramchandra Rao, currently MD of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, has been sent on compulsory leave. Authorities are probing his possible role in facilitating his stepdaughter’s alleged smuggling activities.
Yatnal asserted, “I will name all ministers involved in this case in the Assembly session and reveal how the gold was smuggled.” The BJP has accused the Congress government of shielding those linked to the scandal.
With Rao’s bail plea rejected, the DRI and other agencies continue their investigation. Yatnal’s promised Assembly revelations could escalate the political fallout, while further updates on the case are awaited.
