Tue Apr 01 15:20:53 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka MLA’s FIR Stayed in Gold Smuggling Case Fallout
**Bengaluru, April 1, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted proceedings against Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal following an FIR filed against him for allegedly insulting Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who is implicated in a gold smuggling case.
Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur issued the interim stay order on Tuesday in response to a petition filed by Mr. Yatnal. The FIR, registered by the High Grounds police on March 18th under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (outraging the modesty of a woman), stemmed from a complaint by Akula Anuradha.
Mr. Yatnal’s petition argues that Ms. Anuradha lacked authorization to file the complaint on Ms. Rao’s behalf. He contends that his statements, while perhaps using colloquial and seemingly offensive language, were not intended to demean Ms. Rao. He claims his remarks focused on exposing loopholes in the system that facilitate gold smuggling, specifically mentioning the practice of hiding gold within passengers’ bodies.
The petition further alleges a conspiracy to silence Mr. Yatnal, suggesting the complaint was filed to prevent him from revealing the names of two ministers allegedly involved in the smuggling operation, names he had indicated he would reveal in the Legislative Assembly. Finally, the petition argues that Section 79 of the BNS is inapplicable to the situation.
Ms. Anuradha’s complaint described Mr. Yatnal’s media statements as demeaning and derogatory towards Ms. Rao. The High Court’s decision to stay the proceedings marks a significant development in this case, which intersects allegations of gold smuggling, political maneuvering, and potential misuse of legal processes.
First Piper 