'Is she an industrialist or a smuggler?': Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad on Ranya Rao gold smuggling case

NEW DELHI: Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad questioned the BJP government's decision to allot 12 acres of land in Tumakuru to a company linked to actress Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested for gold smuggling.
The matter came to light after Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) CEO Mahesh provided clarification about the land allocation on Sunday.
KIADB CEO confirmed that Ksiroda India Pvt. Ltd., associated with Kannada actress Ranya Rao, received the land allocation on January 2, 2023, in Sira Industrial Area, Tumakuru district.
The allocation was approved during the 137th State Level Single Window Clearance Committee meeting when the previous government was in power.
"The case is being investigated by DRI and CBI and they have all the independence to investigate... The BJP should also answer why they allotted 12 acres of land in Tumakuru to the company belonging to Ranya Rao, is she an industrialist or a smuggler?" Arshad said while speaking to media persons.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested Ranya Rao on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai.
When asked about the Hampi rape incident, Arshad responded: "The BJP that has organizations like Bajrang Dal and VHP, who take the law into their own hands, should not blame anybody else... The State government has swiftly acted in the case, arrested the accused, and is chasing the third accused. We will see to it that everyone gets justice and the guilty is booked under strict sections... We will not compromise on anything related to the safety, security and dignity of women..."
The case involving Ranya Rao is currently under investigation by both the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Central Bureau of Investigation, with both agencies having complete independence to conduct their investigations.