Preliminary findings suggest that upon arriving at the airport, she would identify herself as the DGP’s daughter and request local police escorts to her home. The enquiry will investigate whether she used her stepfather's position to bypass airport security checks.
Published Mar 11, 2025 | 4:35 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 11, 2025 | 4:35 PM
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has launched an inquiry into allegations that Kannada actor Ranya Rao exploited VIP security protocols to smuggle gold from Dubai, following her arrest at Bengaluru airport with 14.8kg of gold bars valued at ₹12.56 crore. Officials are investigating whether Rao, stepdaughter of a Director General of Police-ranked officer, used the latter’s position to circumvent airport security checks.
The Karnataka government has ordered an inquiry into allegations that Kannada actor Ranya Rao misused VIP security privileges to evade scrutiny while allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Rao on 3 March at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on charges of smuggling 14.8kg of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore. The following day, authorities seized gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash from her residence on Lavelle Road.
Rao is the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a Director General of Police (DGP)-ranked officer currently serving as Chairman and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
Preliminary findings suggest that upon arriving at the airport, she would identify herself as the DGP’s daughter and request local police escorts to her home. The DRI is now probing whether these officers were complicit or unknowingly involved in the smuggling network.
The enquiry will investigate whether she used her stepfather’s position to bypass airport security checks.
In an order dated 10 March, the government appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to lead the investigation and submit the findings within a week.
The DGP, Director General and Inspector General of Police, and Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) have been instructed to provide all necessary documents and full cooperation for the investigation.
Meanwhile, BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has called for a thorough investigation into the case, amidst reports suggesting the involvement of two serving ministers in the case.
Speaking in Delhi on Monday, he said, “A thorough and in-depth investigation must be conducted to identify those involved in the illegal gold smuggling network linked to actress Ranya Rao.
“This does not appear to be an isolated incident. It is impossible for such a major crime to occur without officials’ involvement. A CBI probe will reveal who was responsible. A thorough investigation will bring out the truth.”
However, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the claims as political speculation, according to the Deccan Herald.
“No minister is involved, we don’t know anything. It is all political gossip. Investigating officers will proceed according to the law. We have nothing to do with it. The central government is investigating, let them do it.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
