**Karnataka Home Minister’s Medical College Raided in Gold Smuggling Case**
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted a raid at a medical college in Tumakuru associated with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, as part of the investigation into the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. Parameshwara serves as the Chairman of the Sri Siddaratha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, which was searched by the ED on Wednesday. At the time of the raid, the Home Minister was not present at his residence and was reportedly meeting with associates at an undisclosed location.
The ED’s investigation into the medical college was prompted by a money laundering case linked to Ranya Rao, who was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru airport. During the inquiry, the ED uncovered financial connections between Rao and the medical institution associated with Parameshwara. The agency is currently reviewing the college’s financial records for further evidence.
Following Rao’s arrest, various unverified claims regarding her connections with politicians, including current and former ministers, surfaced. The BJP has accused the Congress party of involvement in the smuggling case, particularly after a photograph of Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Rao’s wedding was made public. However, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed these allegations as mere “political gossip.”
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which apprehended Ranya Rao with the gold, reportedly discovered contact information for several politicians and police officials on her phone, prompting an analysis of her call records for potential links to an organized network. On Tuesday, both Ranya Rao and her co-accused, Tarun Raju, were granted bail after the DRI failed to file a chargesheet. However, Rao remains in custody due to additional charges under stringent foreign exchange laws.
In summary, the ongoing investigation into the gold smuggling case continues to unfold, with significant implications for those involved, including political figures in Karnataka.
**FAQ**
*What is the connection between Ranya Rao and the Karnataka Home Minister?*
Ranya Rao is linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara through financial transactions identified by the Enforcement Directorate during their investigation into a gold smuggling case.
