DGP Ramachandra Rao questioned by inquiry committee

Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao, stepfather of Ranya Rao who was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for trying to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold, was questioned by the State government-appointed inquiry committee led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta on Monday evening. 

Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao, stepfather of Ranya Rao who was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for trying to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold, was questioned by the State government-appointed inquiry committee led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta on Monday evening. 

Ranya had allegedly been misusing police escorts, provided to her in violation of rules, to evade custom checks and checkout of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The State government formed the Gaurav Gupta Committee to probe the misuse of police protocol services and the possible role of Mr. Rao in the case. He was sent on mandatory leave on March 15. 

In his statement to the committee, Mr. Rao is said to have denied any knowledge of Ranya allegedly smuggling gold. He is reported to have said that like many senior IPS officers do, he had asked a constable to help his family members whenever they fly through KIA. 

Basavaraj, a head constable from International Airport Police Station, who was escorting Ranya on March 3 when she was caught, in his statement to the DRI said that like many senior IPS officers, Mr. Rao had asked him to escort his family members during arrival and departure at KIA. He said following the instructions, he had escorted Ranya three to four times earlier, and on March 3, she called and told him to be present at KIA as she was arriving from Dubai that evening.