Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar confirmed a financial transaction between Home Minister G Parameshwara's institution and actor Ranya Rao, accused in a gold smuggling case, but claimed it was a wedding gift.
DK Shivakumar said, 'There was a wedding. We give people gifts sometimes Rs 10,000, 5 or 10 lakh. Whatever he has done is wrong and the law will take its course. I just spoke to God, and it was a gift.'
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar confirmed a financial transaction between Home Minister G Parameshwara's institution and actor Ranya Rao, accused in a gold smuggling case, but claimed it was a wedding gift.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday and Thursday raided establishments linked to Parameshwara in Karnataka in connection with its probe into the gold smuggling case and possible money laundering.
Talking with reporters, DK Shivakumar said, "There was a wedding. We give people gifts sometimes Rs 10,000, 5 or 10 lakh. Whatever he has done is wrong and the law will take its course. I just spoke to God, and it was a gift."
ED raids at institutions linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara entered their second day on Thursday, following Wednesday's searches at Sri Siddartha Medical College and Research Centre in Tumakuru, where Parameshwara serves as Chairman.
Defending Home Minister G Parameshwara, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar highlighted Parameshwara's charitable work and asserted that no Congress leader would condone wrongdoing. "He runs many trusts and institutions for the public good. We're committed to upholding the law. We've seen injustice before, like in Sonia Gandhi's case. We'll protest nationwide if needed," Shivakumar said
"Whatever Ranya Rao has done, that is wrong and the law will take its own course," he added.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the ED action politically motivated and casteist.
Siddaramaiah asked, "Parameshwara is a prominent Dalit leader. Raids have been conducted on him due to political vendetta. Are BS Yediyurappa, BY Vijayendra, HD Kumaraswamy very honest? Why are raids not being conducted against them?"
The ED is investigating a money laundering case linked to gold smuggling, involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao and others, after her arrest at Bengaluru airport on March 3 for smuggling gold worth crores.