Bengaluru, Mar 19 (UNI) BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has been booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested in a gold smuggling case.

The case was registered at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following a complaint by social activist Akula Anuradha.

According to the FIR, Yatnal made offensive comments while addressing the media in Vijayapura on Monday. He allegedly remarked that Rao had concealed gold "all over her body, hiding it wherever she had holes, and smuggled it in."

The complainant described these remarks as "objectionable, vulgar, and disrespectful," emphasizing that Ranya is a multi-language actress with a respectable standing in society.

Ranya, also known as Harshavardhini Ranya, is the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao. She was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after authorities seized 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from her possession.

Subsequent searches at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore. Investigators suspect she is part of a larger smuggling network.

Yatnal's remarks have sparked controversy, with many condemning his choice of words. The BJP leader also hinted at the involvement of ministers in the smuggling operation, stating that he had gathered complete information about those who facilitated the operation and would reveal details during the assembly session.

The case against Yatnal has been registered under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Further investigation is underway.

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