'DGP was aware, but…': Probe finds 'no direct link' between Ranya Rao's father and gold smuggling

Ranya Rao and DGP Ramachandra

The probe report into the gold smuggling case involving Kanadda actor Ranya Rao revealed that her father Karnataka director general of police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao was aware of protocol assistance to his stepdaughter, but no evidence was found that he was directly involved in the alleged gold smuggling that she was accused of.

The report, prepared by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, which examines allegations of misuse of police protocol and the possible involvement of Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case, was submitted to the Karnataka government last Thursday.

The Kanadda actor was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on March 3 after Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials found her in possession of 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ?12.5 crore, upon her arrival from Dubai.

According to an official familiar with the report, it did not find any direct involvement of Ramachandra Rao. “The findings suggest that while Ramachandra Rao was aware that protocol assistance was provided to Ranya Rao and that she had used his official car several times from the airport, there is no concrete evidence linking him to arranging it,” Hindustan Times quoted a senior official as saying.

The official stated that the report also did not "connect him" to the alleged gold smuggling case. "Although he was aware that his daughter was using the official car and the protocol services, there was no evidence indicating that these were being used for gold smuggling," the official added.

However, the investigation report stated that extending protocol services to a relative at the airport violated civil service conduct rules, as such services are intended solely for the official. The decision on any action against Ramachandra Rao has been left to the government's discretion, according to the senior official.

Ramachandra Rao, who has been serving as the DGP since October 2023 and is also the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, has previously come under scrutiny. His tenure as Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Southern Range was overshadowed when his name emerged in a case related to a large cash seizure.