Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 16: The Karnataka government has placed DGP K Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave with immediate effect, pending an investigation into his alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case linked to his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao.
DGP Rao, who was serving as Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, was relieved of his duties following allegations that protocol privileges were misused to aid gold smuggling activities. The government has directed senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.

The investigation follows the recent arrest of Ranya Rao, who was apprehended by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Bengaluru International Airport with 14.8 kg of smuggled gold. Authorities later recovered Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her residence on Lavelle Road, where she reportedly paid a monthly rent of Rs 4.5 lakh.
Ranya Rao has been accused of leveraging her stepfather’s name and official status to bypass security protocols at the airport. Reports indicate that she accessed special privileges meant for senior government officials, which facilitated her alleged smuggling activities. In response, the state government has ordered an immediate review of how these privileges were extended and whether DGP Rao played any role in enabling their misuse.
The government’s directive mandates Gaurav Gupta to submit a report within a week. He has been granted full authority to summon DGP Rao for questioning and collect necessary documents in coordination with the State Police Chief and the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
The case has drawn scrutiny from multiple central agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which are also probing financial transactions linked to the smuggling network. Meanwhile, Ranya Rao has alleged that she was subjected to physical assault during interrogation by DRI officials, claiming they pressured her into signing statements and threatened to expose her stepfather.
Reacting to the developments, DGP Ramachandra Rao expressed shock over his stepdaughter’s arrest, stating that he was unaware of her alleged involvement in gold smuggling. As the investigation progresses, further action will be determined based on the findings of the inquiry and central agency reports.
- Ranya gold smuggling probe: Govt places father DGP Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave
- Court cites Dubai visits, economic concerns in denying Ranya Rao bail
- Bengaluru special court denies bail to actress Ranya Rao in gold smuggling case
- Gold smuggling case: DRI cites national security, international links, opposes bail for Ranya Rao
- State BJP raises questions over Ranya Rao’s alleged links with ministers, shares photo with CM
- Ranya Rao arrest case: Congress-led K'taka govt directly involved in gold smuggling case, says BJP
- DRI makes second arrest in gold smuggling case; Ranya Rao remanded to 14-day judicial custody
- Karnataka govt to investigate land allotment to actress Ranya Rao during BJP's tenure
- Two ministers involved in Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, claims State BJP chief B Y Vijayendra
- Ranya Rao secured industrial land from previous govt before gold bust
- CBI begins probe into gold smuggling scam involving actress Ranya Rao, IPS officer’s step-daughter
- Jailed actress Ranya Rao admits to smuggling 17 gold bars
- Actress Ranya Rao earned Rs 12 lac per trip to Dubai for smuggling gold, say officials
- Gold smuggling case: DGP Ramachandra Rao shocked & unaware of daughter Ranya’s involvement
- Actress Ranya Rao gold smuggling probe reveals high-level nexus
- Kannada actress Ranya Rao claims she was blackmailed into smuggling gold
- Kannada actress Ranya Rao arrested in gold smuggling case, sparks political reactions
- DRI raids actress Ranya Rao's residence; uncovers crores in cash, gold
- Kannada actress Ranya Rao arrested with 14.8 kg gold at Bengaluru airport