Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka government orders probe into role of DGP Ramachandra Rao, misuse of protocol by actress at Bengaluru airport
The Hindu
Karnataka government appoints IAS officer to investigate actress Ranya Rao's protocol violations and stepfather's role in gold smuggling.
The Karnataka government has appointed senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta to investigate the protocol violations by actress Ranya Rao at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and also the possible role of her stepfather K. Ramachandra Rao, Director-General of Police, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, in the gold smuggling case.
In a separate order, the government has also directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the possible negligence and dereliction on the part of police personnel and submit a report.
In the first order, issued on March 10, 2025, the government has asked Mr. Gupta, who is Additional Chief Secretary, to head the inquiry and submit a report within a week.
The actress was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) after she was caught at the KIA with 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ₹12.5 crore after landing from Dubai on March 3. Following DRI inputs, CBI registered a case to probe gold smuggling racket with international links.
“It has been reported by the media that Ranya Rao was apprehended by officials of the DRI while illegally smuggling gold bars from Dubai to Bengaluru. During the investigation, it has been reported that Ms. Ranya Rao misused protocol privileges to carry out this illegal activity,” the Government Order stated.
It further said that media reports state that she used the airport protocol facilities provided to senior police officials, by using the name of her father and allegedly used these privileges to bypass security checks at the airport.
“The government considers it necessary to investigate the circumstances and factors that led to the misuse of protocol privileges, as well as the involvement of Dr. Ramachandra Rao in this case,” the order stated.
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