Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 20: The Karnataka government is set to receive a detailed report on the alleged involvement of jailed actress Ranya Rao’s stepfather, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, in the gold smuggling case, sources revealed on Wednesday.
A special team, led by Karnataka’s additional chief secretary Gaurav Gupta, has been investigating the case and has recorded statements from 20 individuals, including protocol staff and immigration officials. The probe aims to determine how protocol regulations were allegedly misused to facilitate Ranya Rao’s movements.
Ramachandra Rao, who was serving as the chairman and managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, has been placed on indefinite compulsory leave. He was questioned for over two hours regarding accusations of colluding with his stepdaughter. However, sources stated that the senior IPS officer has denied all allegations against him.
Meanwhile, the investigation has also drawn scrutiny toward two influential ministers in the Congress-led state government. These ministers, who had strongly backed Ramachandra Rao for the position of Karnataka’s top police officer, are reportedly under pressure following the controversy. Sources indicate that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been considering their recommendation, but recent developments have left him displeased. With a cabinet reshuffle expected soon, concerns are growing over their political standing.
Ranya Rao, who was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold and misusing her stepfather’s influence to bypass security checks, is currently lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), along with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is handling the multi-agency probe.
On March 11, the Karnataka government ordered an inquiry into Ramachandra Rao’s alleged role in enabling his stepdaughter to exploit official protocol privileges at the airport. Additional Chief Secretary Gupta was tasked with gathering evidence and determining the extent of the officer’s involvement.
Investigators have been directed to obtain necessary documents and support from the State police chief and the secretary of the department of personnel and administrative reforms. The inquiry gained momentum after DRI officials seized 14.8 kg of gold from Ranya Rao at Bengaluru International Airport. Further raids at her upscale Lavelle Road residence led to the recovery of Rs 2.06 cr worth of gold and Rs 2.67 cr in cash. Reports suggest that she had been paying a monthly rent of Rs 4.5 lac for the apartment.
Responding to the controversy, Ramachandra Rao stated that he was "devastated and unaware" of his stepdaughter’s alleged activities. Meanwhile, Ranya Rao has claimed that DRI officials assaulted her during interrogation and coerced her into signing statements by threatening to expose her stepfather’s involvement.
With the investigative report expected to be submitted soon, the case has triggered political tremors and raised serious questions about the alleged misuse of power and protocol in Karnataka’s administration.