Bengaluru, May 22 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday confirmed that Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara gave Rs 40 lakh to actress Ranya Rao - now an accused in a gold smuggling case - but indicated that the money was given as a wedding gift and bore no connection to any illegal activity.
Breaking his silence on the issue that has triggered a political storm, Shivakumar told reporters here that the sum could have been extended during a family wedding, which he too had attended, and dismissed the BJP's claim that it amounted to an admission of guilt.
"Yes, he is not denying that Rs 40 lakh was given. But what is important is - for what purpose was it given? It was not to support gold smuggling. It was for a marriage, ...