Big update in Karnataka gold smuggling case, actress Ranya Rao’s father DGP K. Ramachandra also came under investigation
In the alleged gold smuggling case involving Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, her stepfather and Director General of Police (DGP) rank officer K Ramachandra Rao has also come under investigation. The Karnataka government has appointed Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Gaurav Gupta to investigate Rao’s role. The Chief Minister’s Office told the media on Tuesday that the order appointing Gaurav Gupta was issued on Monday night. The government also ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged lapses and negligence of duty by police officers at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Ramachandra Rao is currently working as the Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Report to be submitted in a week
The government order said that ACS Gaurav Gupta has been appointed as the investigating officer to investigate the facts and circumstances regarding the availment of protocol related facilities and the role of the state’s Director General of Police of the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Corporation Ramachandra Rao in this case. The order states that the investigating officer will have to start the investigation immediately and submit the investigation report within a week.
Why was actress Ranya Rao arrested?
The Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police (head of police forces) and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms have also been directed to provide all necessary documents and assistance for the investigation. The order states that film actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence when she was coming to Bengaluru from Dubai with illegal gold.
Shocking facts revealed in the investigation
The order states that during the investigation of the case, it was reported in the media that the arrested Ranya misused the facilities given to high-ranking officials at the airport. According to the order, it has been reported that the CID has also been directed to investigate the negligence shown by the policemen in discharging their duties during Ranya’s going abroad and returning from there.
What is the whole matter?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had seized gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from Ranya at the Kempegowda International Airport here on March 3. The next day, the DRI said it seized gold jewellery and cash worth Rs 2.06 crore from Ranya’s residence in Bengaluru. While the DRI is probing the case, the CBI has also joined the investigation.
