The Karnataka government has placed DGP-rank officer K
Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave following the arrest of his stepdaughter,
Kannada actress Ranya Rao, in connection with a gold smuggling case. This
action was taken on March 11, as part of an ongoing high-profile investigation
involving multiple agencies, including the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
(DRI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement
Directorate (ED).
The Arrest and Investigation
Ranya Rao was apprehended at Kempegowda International
Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai. DRI
officials found her in possession of 14.2 kg of gold bars, valued at
approximately ₹12.5 crore. Authorities stated that had the gold been legally
imported, it would have attracted a 38.5% duty amounting to ₹4.83 crore.
Alongside Rao, Tarun Raju, a close acquaintance who had accompanied her to
Dubai, was also arrested on March 10.
The Karnataka government has since appointed Additional
Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to investigate the possible misuse of protocol
privileges at the Bengaluru airport by Rao and any potential involvement of her
stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, in the smuggling operation.
CBI and ED Probe into International Syndicate
The case has garnered the attention of the CBI, which is
examining whether Rao was acting as a "mule" for a larger
international smuggling syndicate. The investigation has revealed that prior to
her travel on March 3, Rao received calls from unknown numbers instructing her
to collect the gold bars at Gate 'A' of Terminal 3 at Dubai International
Airport and deliver them to Bengaluru.
Authorities suspect that the smuggling ring extends beyond
the UAE, with connections in Europe, the United States, and other countries.
The CBI plans to seek Interpol’s assistance in identifying other syndicate
members involved in the operation. Meanwhile, the ED has launched an inquiry
into the financial aspects of the smuggling case, including potential money
laundering activities.
Ranya Rao’s Allegations Against DRI Officials
In a dramatic twist, Ranya Rao has claimed that she was
falsely accused and subjected to mistreatment by DRI officials. In a letter
addressed to the Additional Director General of the DRI in Bengaluru on March
6, Rao alleged that she was assaulted and forced to sign blank and pre-typed
papers under duress.
She further stated that she was slapped 10 to 15 times
during her detention and was coerced into signing approximately 50 to 60 typed
documents along with 40 blank sheets. "Despite repeated hitting and
slapping, I refused to sign the statement they prepared," she claimed.
According to Rao, one officer threatened her by saying, "If you don’t
sign, we will expose your father’s name and identity, even though we know he is
not involved."
Ramachandra Rao’s Controversial Tenure
DGP Ramachandra Rao, who has been serving as Chairman and
Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited since October 2023, has faced scrutiny in the
past. His tenure as Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Southern Range was
previously marred by his alleged involvement in a case related to a large cash
seizure.
Legal Proceedings and Future Course
With multiple agencies now involved, the investigation into
the smuggling operation is expected to uncover further details about the
involvement of high-profile individuals. As the probe continues, authorities
are working to establish whether Rao acted independently or was merely a
conduit for a larger network.
Meanwhile, Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, known for
her role in the 2014 movie Maanikya alongside actor Sudeep, recently
married Bengaluru-based architect Jatin Vijayakumar Hukkeri, three months
before her arrest.
The case has stirred significant controversy, with the
Karnataka government under pressure to ensure a transparent and fair
investigation. With allegations of procedural lapses and accusations of
physical abuse against investigative officers, the legal battle ahead is
expected to be complex and closely monitored by both the public and media.