Faced several challenges as CM from day one, Yediyurappa says as he stares at exit
Bengaluru, July 24: As he stares at his possible exit, B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said he had to face several challenges from the day he took charge as the Chief Minister, but is satisfied that he has made honest efforts to better the lives of the people.
The Chief Minister also said that he feels proud to have paid back to the people of Shivamogga district and his Shikaripura constituency, by ensuring its all round development.
He was speaking after virtually inaugurating projects worth Rs 1,074 crore and laying the foundation for various projects worth Rs 560 crore in Shivamogga district, from his home office here.
"I am satisfied that in the last two years we put maximum efforts for the development of Shivamogga district. The projects that are being inaugurated are evidence for it.
I feel proud to say that through all-round development, I have made honest efforts to pay back to the people of Shivamogga district, and more specifically Shikaripura taluk, which gave me political birth," Yediyurappa said.
"From the day I took charge as the Chief Minister till now, I had to face several challenges like natural disasters that the state had never faced in the past and the corona pandemic, which ravaged lives.
Now once again there is a flood like situation," Yediyurappa noted.
Stating that he has spoken to Deputy Commissioners of eight districts,including Shivamogga and directed them to take up relief and rescue works," he said "I'm satisfied that despite all these (challenges), I have been able to take steps to improve the living standard of the people and their financial position.
...I thank the people for their support in facing the challenges."
Indicating that Monday might be his last day in office, Yediyurappa had recently said that based on the instructions that the central leaders will give him on July 25, he will begin "his work" from July 26.
His government will complete two years in office on July 26.
Yediyurappa, who began his political career as Purasabha president in Shikaripura, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly from Shikaripura in 1983 and went on to win eight times from there.
The Chief Minister's elder son B Y Raghavendra is the MP from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.
Pointing out various initiatives on infrastructure development, irrigation works to provide water to farms, filling up of lakes in Shivamogga, among others, Yediyurappa expressed confidence that the irrigation projects taken up in the district would change the financial condition of the farmers in the days to come.
Noting that Shivamogga airport work at Sogane village was under progress, he said the Rs 384 crore airport is viable for operating Airbus aircraft and would also benefit neighbouring districts in terms of tourism, industries and employment generation.
The airport will start operations by next April, he added.
ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ವಿವಿಧ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಗಳ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಶಂಕುಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯನ್ನು ಇಂದು ಗೃಹ ಕಚೇರಿ 'ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ'ದಲ್ಲಿ ವರ್ಚುವಲ್ ಹೋಸ್ಟಿಂಗ್ ಮೂಲಕ ನೆರವೇರಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.
— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) July 24, 2021
ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಉಸ್ತುವಾರಿ ಸಚಿವರು, ಸಂಸದರು, ಗಣ್ಯರು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು. pic.twitter.com/0S9B8KkZNe
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Gold smuggling case: Judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, two others extended until Apr 21
Bengaluru, Apr 07 (PTI): A court here on Monday extended the judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, and two others until April 21 in connection with a gold smuggling case. Ranya, businessman Tarun Raju, and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain are accused of orchestrating the illegal import of gold worth over Rs 12.56 crore from Dubai to India.
The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when Rao alias Harshavardhani Ranya was apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kilograms of gold allegedly smuggled from Dubai. Subsequent investigations revealed that Ranya had made 45 solo trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, raising suspicions of her involvement in a broader smuggling network.
Further scrutiny uncovered her association with Vira Diamonds Trading, a Dubai-based firm she co-founded in 2023 with actor and businessman Tarun Raju. Authorities allege that this company was used as a front for smuggling operations. Raju, also known as Virat Konduru, was arrested following evidence of his involvement in purchasing gold in Dubai and facilitating its illegal transport to India.
Investigations also implicated jeweller Sahil Jain, who is suspected of assisting Ranya in selling approximately 49 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at over Rs 40 crore. Jain allegedly managed hawala transactions, transferring significant sums to Dubai, and received commissions for his role in the operations.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has presented substantial evidence linking the accused to the smuggling activities. The court previously denied bail to Raju, citing the serious nature of the economic offense and potential flight risk due to his frequent international travel history.
