The gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao is escalating into a significant political conflict between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP in the state, with tensions rising due to a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is investigating Ranya Rao’s case after she was apprehended with gold bars concealed on her person at Bangalore Airport. Authorities have reportedly seized her laptop and mobile devices to analyze the digital information stored on them.

Reports suggest that Rao, the stepdaughter of a high-ranking IPS officer in the state, attempted to contact a government minister while in custody at the airport. Allegations indicate that she received assistance from police personnel to avoid security checks at the airport. Her frequent travels between Bangalore and Dubai have drawn the attention of central investigative agencies, including the CBI, which has dispatched teams to conduct inquiries at both the Bengaluru and Mumbai airports regarding her previous trips and potential connections to a smuggling operation.

On Monday, the DRI is expected to present her in court to seek an extension of her custody, while she has filed for bail. The court’s decision will be crucial, particularly as investigators analyze data from her devices and WhatsApp messages to uncover possible connections. Many prominent politicians are reportedly in her contacts, leading to concerns about the sensitive information that may emerge from the investigations.

Before any definitive conclusions can be drawn, a political battle has already commenced. Congress leaders have accused Ranya Rao of receiving land for her company shortly after its establishment, allegedly linking her to the previous Basavaraj Bommai administration. In 2022, she was granted 12 acres of land for her manufacturing business—a company that had been operational for less than two years. The Karnataka government has distanced itself from this land allocation in a media statement.

Senior BJP leader S. Prakash emphasized that the issue lies not only in the land allocation but also in how Ramya Rao managed to carry out her alleged smuggling activities unimpeded and avoid security checks at the airport. “Everyone involved must face the consequences, and the public deserves to know the identities of those connected. The Karnataka government is understandably anxious about the impending revelations,” Prakash stated, questioning why the police officer, Rao’s father, has not yet been suspended.

Prakash hinted at a potentially influential figure behind her actions, suggesting that this person might also be linked to the land allotment. “What’s critical now is not the land dispute, but understanding how she managed to make multiple trips abroad with gold without being screened. Who was supporting her?” he added.

“Once the identity of the individual backing Ramya Rao is revealed, many issues will be clarified,” Prakash hinted, underscoring the gravity of the situation and its possible repercussions for the Karnataka government. He also posed questions regarding the senior officer whose daughter is implicated in the smuggling case and why he remains in office.

On another front, the CBI has mobilized two teams for the investigation without seeking the mandatory approval of the Karnataka government. State Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that the state government would refrain from commenting until the CBI presents its report.