Actress Ranya Rao's IPS Father Under Investigation in Gold Smuggling Case. Karnataka government orders probe, alleging misuse of airport facilities.
Ranya Rao: Following the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, her stepfather and senior IPS officer, Ramchandra Rao, is now under investigation. The Karnataka government has ordered a probe against him. The government has appointed the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Gaurav Gupta, to investigate the entire sequence of events.
Ramchandra Rao Holds DGP Rank
Ramchandra Rao is the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. He is accused of facilitating the misuse of VIP protocol at the airport by his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao, due to his position. The government has ordered an investigation into his role in the matter.
CID to Investigate Official Negligence
A statement released by the Chief Minister's Office on Tuesday stated that the negligence of police officials at the airport will also be investigated. This responsibility has been assigned to the CID. The government claims that when Ranya Rao arrived with gold from Dubai, the security officials at the airport did not perform their duties properly, allowing her to benefit from VIP facilities.
Investigation Report Due in a Week
Investigating officer Gaurav Gupta has been instructed to submit a report within a week. The scope of the investigation will also include determining whether Ranya Rao used her father's VIP facilities to illegally smuggle gold. The government has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Secretary of the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Ranya Rao Misused Protocol
The order also states that actress Ranya Rao took advantage of the protocol facilities afforded to her IPS father and used his name and address to evade scrutiny by investigating agencies. The officials stationed at the airport also did not conduct a thorough check on her, raising questions about whether she received inside help.
₹12.56 Crore Worth of Gold Seized
It is noteworthy that on March 3, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore. A raid was conducted at her residence the next day, where gold jewelry and cash worth ₹2.06 crore were seized. Now, besides the DRI, the CBI is also investigating the entire matter.
