23 hours ago
Last Updated:May 22, 2025, 14:04 IST
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara is under ED scrutiny for his trust's alleged links to Kannada actor Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara (L)/Kannada film actor Ranya Rao (R) (Photos: PTI/Social Media)
As Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara remains under Enforcement Directorate lens for his trust’s alleged links to Kannada film actor Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling case, the former refused to comment on probe agency’s actions.
Refusing to comment on the same he said he would abide by the law and that his trust will co-operate with the ED proceedings.
He said, “The ED visited our offices. They questioned the accounts officer as well. I shall always abide by the law. I have asked my officers at the trust to co-operate. This is not just the question of one individual, this is an Institution."
“I refuse to comment on this, let the full investigation report come out," he added while referring to case against Ranya Rao.
Upon being asked whether he is being targeted, he said," I shall not comment on any of this at point in time, let us wait for the investigation to take place."
DK Shivakumar Backs Parameshwara Amid ED Raids
Meanwhile, extending support to Parameshwara amid ED raids, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that Parameshwara’s institution gave money to Ranya Rao as a gift while referring to a marriage event.
Shivakumar said, " I just spoke to Parameshwara. He run an institution, there was a marriage, and as a gift to people we give sometimes 10,000, 5 or 10 lakh. Whatever she has done that is wrong and law will take its own course. As far as Parameshwara is concerned, I spoke to him and it was gift."
upon being asked about the Ramanagara renaming row, he said the state cabinet will decide today. “I will brief later. But the BJP just wants to do politics," he added.
On Wednesday, the ED conducted raided a medical college and an educational institute in Tumakuru, linked to Parameshwara, in connection with the money laundering case.
The searches by the probe agency were carried out at the Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology and the Sri Siddhartha Medical College.
The Congress party has strongly condemned the raids conducted at institutions linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, calling them politically motivated. The party has demanded an end to what it describes as selective targeting and harassment of opposition figures holding constitutional positions.
Gold Smuggling Case: Ranya Rao Granted Bail On May 20
On May 20, Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju were granted bail by a Special Court for Economic Offences in connection with the gold smuggling case.
The court approved their default bail applications after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated period.
Rao was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda Airport in Bengaluru after arriving from Dubai.
Location : First Published:News india Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Under ED Lens, Karnataka Minister Says 'Will Abide By Law'
