The Karnataka government has initiated a high-level investigation into the alleged involvement of senior police officer Ramachandra Rao in a gold smuggling case linked to his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao. The probe aims to determine whether the former police official played any role in facilitating or covering up the smuggling operations. Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta has been appointed to lead the inquiry, as reported by the news agency PTI.
Authorities are also examining whether the accused actor misused official privileges and security protocols to evade stringent airport security checks while allegedly smuggling gold. If found guilty of exploiting her stepfather’s position for unlawful gains, she could face additional charges related to protocol violations.
The case came to light when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru on March 3. She was caught in possession of 14.8 kilograms of gold, estimated to be worth ₹12.56 crore. The gold was allegedly smuggled from Dubai. Acting on a tip-off, DRI officials had stationed a surveillance team at the airport to monitor her arrival. Once she landed, officials moved in swiftly and apprehended her before she could exit the airport premises.
Following her arrest, authorities conducted a thorough search of Ranya Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru, leading to the recovery of additional quantities of gold. Investigators suspect that she had been using her close connection to her stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, to avoid rigorous scrutiny by customs officials. Reports suggest that she had made four trips to Dubai within just 15 days, raising suspicions that she was involved in a larger international smuggling network. Authorities are now working to determine whether she was acting alone or in collusion with other individuals as part of an organized crime syndicate.
The severity of the case prompted officials to take swift legal action. Ranya Rao was presented before a special court handling financial offences on March 4. After hearing the case details, the court ordered that she be remanded to judicial custody until March 18. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to gather evidence and track down possible accomplices.
During the court proceedings, Ranya Rao made serious allegations against the DRI officials, claiming that she had been verbally harassed during her three-day interrogation. She alleged that investigators used inappropriate language and subjected her to undue mental stress. However, the DRI has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that all questioning was conducted in a professional manner and the presence of her legal representatives. Officials further stated that CCTV footage from the interrogation room could be used to verify their claims and refute the accusations made by the actress.
Who is Ramachandra Rao?
As the case unfolded, attention also turned to the background and past controversies of Ramachandra Rao, the senior IPS officer under scrutiny. Rao is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Amid mounting allegations, he has categorically distanced himself from his stepdaughter and her alleged criminal activities.
“I have no connection to my daughter’s activities. She got married four months ago and has not been in touch with us since then. The law will take its course,” Rao stated in an attempt to clear his name from the ongoing investigation.
Ramachandra Rao is a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who was promoted to the prestigious rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in September 2023. However, his career has not been devoid of controversy. One of the most significant cases that cast a shadow over his tenure was a financial misconduct allegation dating back to 2014. During his time as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Southern Range, a case of alleged money seizure was reported, which led to serious accusations against the police.
According to the official police version of the 2014 case, officers had confiscated ₹20 lakh from a private bus in Mysuru. However, the merchants who were transporting the money later came forward with a shocking claim that the actual amount seized was ₹2.27 crore. They accused the police of misappropriation and demanded a full investigation. This case created a significant controversy and raised questions about transparency within the police force, though no substantial legal action was taken against Rao at the time.
With the current gold smuggling case under investigation, the Karnataka government is leaving no stone unturned in determining whether there was any misuse of power or influence by Rao to aid or abet criminal activities. The inquiry will focus on his possible role in helping his stepdaughter evade detection and the extent of his knowledge regarding her frequent trips to Dubai.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies continue to dig deeper into the smuggling network, seeking to uncover additional links and identify any collaborators who might have assisted in the illicit trade. The case has sparked significant public and political interest, with many awaiting further revelations as the investigation progresses.
The Karnataka government has assured that a fair and impartial probe will be conducted, emphasizing that anyone found guilty—regardless of their position—will face strict legal consequences. The findings of the inquiry, led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, are expected to shed light on whether the gold smuggling operation was an isolated act by Ranya Rao or part of a larger criminal conspiracy with deep-rooted connections.
