Karnataka’s Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation), K Ramachandra Rao, has been directed to go on compulsory leave just days after his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, was arrested in a sensational gold smuggling case.
The directive, given on Saturday evening, did not give any reason for issuing the same.
Ranya Rao’s Arrest at Bengaluru Airport
In an earlier incident this month, officials detained Ranya Rao at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after she was found carrying 14.8 kg of gold. The authorities had allegedly been monitoring her movements and raised their suspicions after she took four visits to Dubai within a period of 15 days.
DGP’s Response to His Stepdaughter’s Arrest
After her arrest, K Ramachandra Rao denied and reacted in surprise to the incident.
“Like any other father, I was shocked and heartbroken when I came to know about it through the media. I had no idea about anything of this kind. I do not want to say anything else,” he said.
He also made it clear that Ranya Rao was not staying with them, and he added, “She is not staying with us. she is staying separately with her husband. There must be some problem between them. (maybe) due to some family issues.”
Investigation Reveals Alleged VIP Protocol Misuse
Initial investigations reveal that Ranya Rao employed her clout to circumvent security checks at airports. According to reports, she reportedly presented herself as the daughter of a Karnataka DGP and requested police escort services.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) nabbed the actor on March 3 after it confiscated gold bars valued at ₹12.56 crore. Sources told that she was trying to smuggle gold by carrying a huge amount and concealing the remaining portion in her attire.
Further searches at her house, where she resided with her spouse, uncovered gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency to the tune of ₹2.67 crore.
Multiple Agencies Probing the Case
The case of gold smuggling has prompted a multi-agency investigation. Three central agencies are probing various sides of the operation:
DRI – Conducting the direct case against Ranya Rao.
CBI – Looking into the overall smuggling network and its masterminds.
ED – Investigating the Hawala money channels involved.
In addition, the Karnataka government has opened an investigation into the reported misuse of VIP airport procedures by Ranya Rao.
As the inquiry goes on, officials continue to target the actor’s associates and potential co-conspirators involved in the smuggling ring.