Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah orders probe into airport protocol violation, role of actor's DGP father under scanner

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has ordered an investigation into allegations of protocol violations at Kempegowda International Airport and the alleged involvement of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case linked to actress Ranya Rao.
The probe will be led by Karnataka's Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, who has been instructed to submit his report within a week.
The controversy erupted following claims that Ranya Rao misused VIP courtesy services at the airport to evade security checks and engage in illegal activities.

Reports suggest that Rao, the stepdaughter of DGP K Ramachandra Rao, leveraged her connections to smuggle gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.
Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka govt orders probe into ‘misuse’ of protocol service at airport
An official government order acknowledged the media reports detailing Ranya Rao’s arrest by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly transporting 14.8 kg of gold bullion from Dubai. The order further highlighted that VIP privileges extended to senior officials were also granted to her father, raising concerns over possible misuse of power.
"It is reported that Mrs. Rao misused her name and the courtesy services offered to her to evade checks at airports and conduct illegal activities. Therefore, the government considers it necessary to investigate the facts and circumstances leading to the availment of courtesy facilities and the role of Shri Ramachandra Rao, IPS, Director General of Police, and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation in this case," the order stated.
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The investigation will focus on how these privileges were availed, whether proper protocols were followed, and if IPS officer Ramachandra Rao had any direct or indirect role in facilitating the alleged smuggling. Gaurav Gupta has been directed to initiate the probe immediately and submit a detailed report.
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The case came to light on March 3, when Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold. She was subsequently produced before a special court for financial offences on March 4 and remanded to judicial custody until March 18. Before being transferred to custody, she underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru.
During interrogation, Ranya Rao maintained that her Dubai trip was for business purposes, but investigators suspect her travel was linked to an organized gold smuggling operation. She was initially remanded to DRI custody until March 10, with the Economic Offences Court allowing her to meet her lawyer for half an hour daily during this period.
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The court, presided over by Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar, directed the DRI to ensure Rao was provided with essentials like food and a bed and cautioned officials against any harsh treatment during questioning. The case has sparked widespread scrutiny, with the government now under pressure to determine whether protocol loopholes were exploited and whether any officials were complicit in the alleged smuggling operation.