Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations on educational institutions run by the family members of Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar in Tumakuru district. The raids are reportedly linked to a money laundering investigation connected to a gold smuggling case involving actress Ranya Rao.
Details of the ED Raids
The searches were carried out at Siddhartha Engineering and Medical Colleges, institutions managed by Dr. Parameshwar’s family in Tumakuru, his hometown.
Political Reactions
- Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the AICC Karnataka in-charge, criticized the raids, calling them a politically motivated move by the BJP-led central government. He alleged that the action was a reaction to the Congress government’s recent decision to grant ownership rights to 1 lakh SC/ST families in Hospet.
- Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka countered these claims, stating that Siddhartha Education Institution, linked to Ranya Rao, is under ED scrutiny for money laundering and land distribution irregularities in Mysore Urban Development Authority.
Latest Updates
- The ED raids continued for a second consecutive day, with searches expanding to Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology (SSIT) and Sri Siddhartha Medical College.
- Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have defended Dr. Parameshwar, calling the raids politically motivated and targeted against a Dalit leader.
- Reports suggest that Rs 40 lakh was transferred to Ranya Rao’s account from an educational trust linked to Dr. Parameshwar, allegedly as per oral instructions.
- Dr. Parameshwar has stated that he is cooperating with the investigation and has instructed his staff to provide all necessary documents.
The ED investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming days.
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