Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka govt orders probe into airport protocol violation, role of actor’s DGP father under scanner | Bengaluru News
NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government on Tuesday ordered an investigation into alleged protocol violations linked to the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, daughter of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, news agency ANI reported.
The probe will be led by additional chief secretary Gaurav Gupta, and a report is expected within a week.
The inquiry will also examine the role of Ramachandra Rao, currently serving as the DGP (Police Housing Corporation), amid allegations that official privileges were misused to help Ranya evade scrutiny at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), where she was caught smuggling gold.
Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka govt orders probe into ‘misuse’ of protocol service at airport
Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3 at KIA after arriving from Dubai. She was found carrying 14kg of gold bars hidden in a body belt and an additional 800 grams of gold ornaments. The 32-year-old actress, who has appeared in Kannada and Tamil films, was produced before a special economic offences court and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
Authorities suspect she may be part of an organised smuggling network operating through Bengaluru airport. “Her frequent short-duration visits to the Gulf had raised red flags, leading to surveillance,” a senior DRI official said. She reportedly made over 10 international trips this year, with investigators now reviewing CCTV footage of her previous arrivals to ascertain whether she had smuggled gold on earlier occasions.
Investigators believe Ranya exploited protocol services meant for senior bureaucrats, including IPS officers, to bypass airport security checks. “She was often escorted by a protocol officer upon arrival, avoiding physical screening. A government vehicle would pick her up, ensuring she remained unnoticed by customs officials,” a source revealed. Officials are now scrutinising the use of such privileges and whether they facilitated multiple smuggling attempts.
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Ranya’s father, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from his daughter’s actions, calling the incident a personal setback. “She married Jatin Hukkeri, an architect, four months ago and has not visited us since. We have no knowledge of her activities. This has come as a huge shock and disappointment. If there’s any wrongdoing, the law will take its course,” he told TOI.
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During her court appearance, Ranya broke down and claimed she was verbally abused and threatened during her DRI interrogation. However, DRI officials denied the allegations, stating that the entire interrogation was recorded and could be presented as evidence. The court has sought a detailed report on the interrogation proceedings.
An old controversy involving Ramachandra Rao has resurfaced. In 2014, while serving as IGP (Southern Range), Mysuru police under his jurisdiction were accused of misappropriating Rs 2 crore seized from a Kerala-based jeweller. The case was later investigated by the CID, which arrested Rao’s gunman on dacoity charges.
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With political pressure mounting, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara has sought a comprehensive report on the case. The probe has also extended to a high-end jewellery boutique in Bengaluru, where officials suspect some of the seized ornaments were sourced. Investigators are now tracing financial transactions linked to these purchases, which allegedly involve a prominent politician.
