'Ranya Rao's IPS father ordered ...': What constable revealed to DRI about 'assisting' actor at Bengaluru's KIA

Credit:X/@RanyaRao

A protocol officer, who helped Kannada actor Ranya Rao with the protocol assistance at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, stated that Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao, the actor's stepfather, had specifically directed him to assist her.

During an interrogation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials, the protocol officer, Basavaraj, said that he was only following the orders from DGP Ramachandra Rao. His duties involved ensuring smooth arrivals and departures for Ranya Rao based on instructions from senior officials.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru on March 3, with 14.8 kilograms of gold, estimated to be worth Rs 12.56 crore.

However, the constable, stationed at the Kempegowda Airport Police Station, denied any involvement in or knowledge of gold smuggling. He insisted that his interactions with the Kannada actor were only limited to protocol duties.

Basavaraj stated that he received a call from Ranya Rao at 6:20 pm on the day of her arrest. Ranya told him that she had arrived from Dubai and asked for protocol assistance. Basavaraj was present when Ranya was about to leave the airport, just before DRI officials detained her.

The constable also revealed that he had known the Kannada actor for the past few years, explaining that their acquaintance was purely professional. He mentioned that he had assisted her with protocol around three to four times, though he could not remember the exact dates and times.

DRI officials seized gold bars from Ranya Rao at the airport in Basavaraj’s presence. Despite this, he maintained that he was unaware of Ranya Rao’s alleged smuggling activities and had no connection to the case.

The Karnataka government on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the role of former police officer Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case involving his stepdaughter.

Upon his daughter’s arrest, Ramachandra Rao issued a statement where he distanced himself from Ranya. “I have no connection to my daughter’s activities. She got married four months ago and hasn’t been in touch with us since. The law will take its own course,” he stated.