India, May 22 -- As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its probe into an alleged gold smuggling racket with links to film actor Ranya Rao, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday defended Home Minister G Parameshwara, stating that a gift of Rs.15-25 lakh given to the actor was simply a gesture during a family event and not a sign of complicity in illegal activity, Times of India reported.

Shivakumar, addressing reporters after meeting Parameshwara at his residence, insisted the senior Congress leader was "clean and honest" and that the transaction was being misrepresented. "He is a law-abiding citizen.

He has been an MLA since 1989, a minister, and served as party president for eight years. He is someone we a...