Kannada Actress Ranya Rao’s Stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, Sent on Compulsory Leave Amid Gold Smuggling Probe

In a significant development, DGP Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, stepfather of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, has been sent on compulsory leave following her arrest in a gold smuggling case. A Karnataka government order issued on Saturday confirmed the decision, stating:

“Shri KV Sharath Chandra, IPS (KN-1997), Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment), is assigned the concurrent charge of Chairman and Managing Director, Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, Bengaluru, with immediate effect. Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, IPS, is sent on compulsory leave until further orders.”

Meanwhile, Ranya Rao has approached a sessions court in Bengaluru seeking bail after the Special Court for Economic Offences rejected her bail plea on Friday, citing the seriousness of the allegations.

Gold Smuggling Case: Key Developments

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. Following her arrest, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR based on a complaint by DRI Additional Director Abhishek Chandra Gupta.

The FIR was lodged under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2014), read with Section 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Adding to the gravity of the case, on March 6, the DRI arrested two foreign nationals at Mumbai Airport for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold worth ₹18.92 crore into India.

Potential Smuggling Syndicate and Government Involvement

In his complaint, Abhishek Chandra Gupta highlighted a possible nexus between these individuals and an organized gold smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE). He noted that Ranya Rao had visited Dubai multiple times, while the two arrested foreign nationals were frequent travelers to Mumbai Airport, suggesting a well-coordinated smuggling operation.

The complaint also raised concerns about the potential involvement of government officials and other unidentified individuals in the smuggling racket. Gupta stated:

“The two cases involving passengers traveling from Dubai, their attempts to smuggle large quantities of gold into India, and the high frequency of their visits indicate a potential connection to a larger smuggling syndicate. This network could have major ramifications at the national and international levels. The involvement of unknown government servants and other individuals must be thoroughly investigated.”

Further Investigation Underway

Authorities are now focusing on identifying the wider network behind these smuggling attempts, including any potential links to government employees. Both the DRI and the CBI are conducting parallel investigations to trace the origins of the smuggling ring and determine its key players.

With DGP Ramachandra Rao being placed on compulsory leave, it remains to be seen whether the investigation will uncover further high-profile links to the case.