Karnataka BJP to hold series of protests against state govt from April 2
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Monday announced that his party will stage day-and-night protests across the state from April 2 against the Congress government's anti-poor policies.
The Shikaripura MLA stated that these protests would be held at district headquarters as well as at the taluk and mandal levels.
He alleged that the protests are being organised in response to the state government imposing "financial burdens on the poor". "The BJP will fight against the government's anti-poor policies," the state party chief said at a press conference.
Vijayendra said that in Bengaluru, the day-and-night protest against the price rise will begin at Freedom Park on April 2 at 11 am.
All BJP MLAs, MLCs, former legislators, former council members, candidates who contested the state assembly elections, office bearers, district presidents, and party workers will participate in the protest, he told reporters.
He added that a protest would also be held in front of the statue of former Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah on the same day against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly.
The 18 MLAs were suspended for their "unruly behaviour" on March 21.
On April 5, BJP workers will take to the streets in all district centers, Taluks, and Mandals across the state, Vijayendra said.
The party has also planned a 'Janakrosha Yatra' (Public Outrage March) from April 7, starting in Mysuru, which will be flagged off by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, the BJP state president said.
As per the schedule, the march on April 7 will cover the Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. On April 8, it will reach Mandya and Hassan, and on April 9, it will proceed to Kodagu and Mangaluru, he added.
The first phase will conclude in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru on April 10. The second phase, starting on April 13, will cover the Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts.
"The movement will cover every district in the state. Each district will have a two-to-three-kilometer 'Padayatra' (foot march), followed by a public gathering addressed by BJP leaders," Vijayendra said.
The BJP state chief also criticised the state budget, claiming that it "favours minorities, particularly Muslims" and "insults Hindus".
"The Congress government’s policy of reserving four per cent of government contracts for Muslims is unconstitutional," he alleged.
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Kannada actress Ranya Rao, jeweller linked to Rs 40 cr gold smuggling: DRI
Bengaluru, Apr 03 (PTI): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said jeweller Sahil Sakariya Jain played a key role in assisting Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, in disposing of 49.6 kg of smuggled gold worth ₹40.14 crore.
According to the DRI’s remand note, Jain not only helped facilitate the illegal transaction but also abetted Ranya in hawala money transfers linked to the smuggling operation.
Jain, a jeweller by profession, was arrested on March 26 for assisting Ranya in the gold smuggling case.
He has been remanded to judicial custody until April 7.
Jain not only helped Ranya in allegedly disposing of the gold but also appeared to have facilitated Hawala money transactions.
"It appears that he assisted and abetted Accused No. 1 in disposing of approximately 49.6 kg of gold worth ₹40,13,59,374. He has also admitted to aiding A1 in transferring Hawala money amounting to around ₹38,39,97,000 to Dubai and ₹1,73,61,787 to A1 in Bengaluru," the DRI stated.
The agency further noted that the unaccounted cash of ₹2.67 crore seized from Ranya’s residence on March 4, as per the ‘Mahazar’ , was likely Hawala money she received as profit from purchasing gold in Dubai and selling it in Bengaluru.
The DRI added that Jain admitted to receiving a commission of ₹55,000 for each transaction.
"The voluminous evidence extracted from two mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Sahil Sakariya Jain further establishes his role in the smuggling of large quantities of gold into India by A1 ," the DRI stated.
According to the agency, in January 2025, Jain helped Ranya dispose of 14.568 kg of gold worth ₹11.56 crore and facilitated the transfer of ₹11.01 crore in Hawala transactions to Dubai.
Additionally, he admitted to transferring ₹55 lakh in Bengaluru.
In February, Jain allegedly assisted Ranya in disposing of 13.433 kg of gold worth ₹11.81 crore.
During the same month, he helped transfer ₹11.25 crore in Hawala funds to Dubai and ₹55.81 lakh to Ranya in Bengaluru.
Ranya, the stepdaughter of a DGP-rank officer in Karnataka, was arrested on March 3, shortly after returning from Dubai at Kempegowda International Airport.
The DRI officials seized 14.7 kg of gold from her possession.
