The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is conducting an intensive investigation regarding the involvement of actress Ranya Rao in a suspected gold smuggling operation. The allegations point to potential misuse of privilege. Ranya may have utilised an airport protocol through the influence of her stepfather, a high-ranking official in the state police department. It has also been disclosed that a government vehicle was allegedly used to transport the gold, further deepening the inquiry into the extent of this involvement.
On the evening of March 3, Ranya Rao was scheduled to arrive from Dubai at the Kempegowda International Airport, where it was reported that a private vehicle was arranged to pick her up. However, sources reveal that Ranya has been escorted in her stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao’s government vehicle on multiple occasions. This raises significant suspicions about the potential misuse of authority and resources—an inquiry that has prompted the DRI to meticulously pursue Ranya’s travel history.
In the wake of these allegations, the DRI is reportedly evaluating the role of the DGP’s government car driver. During her interrogation, Ranya claimed that an unidentified individual had handed her gold in Dubai, instructing her to securely keep it near an auto-rickshaw by a traffic signal on the Kempegowda Airport road. The identity of the person who picked her up from the airport is now deemed crucial to the investigation.
It remains unclear whether Ranya booked a private car before departing Dubai or arranged one immediately upon arriving at the airport. The possibility has also emerged that the arrangement could have stemmed from her stepfather Ramachandra Rao or potentially involved smuggler networks sending a vehicle for her. As such, investigators are focused on tracking down the driver of the private car used for her transport to gather more information.
Under the current regulations, government employees above the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank in the state police department are allotted two vehicles and a motorcycle. The bike is utilised for administrative duties, while one car serves the officer, and the other is generally left at home, where family members may utilise it. Given the unique circumstances surrounding government vehicles, there is concern that drivers may overlook checks on the luggage of officers’ family members—potentially allowing for illicit activities to go unnoticed. This raises important questions about the drivers’ involvement in facilitating Ranya’s transport.
Ramya complains to DRI DG claiming innocence
Ranya Rao is incarcerated in Parappana Agrahara prison following her arrest in connection with the gold smuggling case. In a dramatic turn of events, Ranya dispatched a lengthy petition to the Additional Director General of DRI from within the confines of the prison. According to reports, the Chief Superintendent of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison has forwarded her grievances to the DRI ADG, where she details seven pivotal points concerning her treatment and allegations of misconduct by DRI officials.
In her petition, Ranya asserts that the charges against her are unfounded and stem from a fabricated narrative crafted upon her landing from Dubai. She argues that she was deprived of the opportunity to present her side of the story during the initial moments of her detention. Ranya contends, “I am innocent. I was detained from inside the plane and subsequently presented before a judge without adequate opportunity to clarify my situation.” She further alleges that she endured physical abuse, reporting that she suffered around 10 to 15 slaps during this period when she refused to sign documents prepared by the officials.
One particular line from her petition raises alarming allegations: “One of the officials threatened me, saying, ‘If you do not sign, we will reveal your father’s name even though he has no role in the case.'” Under relentless pressure and intimidation, Ranya claims she felt compelled to sign numerous documents, upwards of 50 to 60 signatures, while under duress.
In a poignant part of the letter, she states, “If I ever come across the officer who assaulted me, I would recognise him immediately.” Ranya describes her detention timeline, specifying that she was held from 6:45 PM on March 3 and brought before a judge merely 45 minutes after a full day of lack of food and sleep during her detention. She expressed incredulity over the treatment meted out to her, prompting her to question the nature of the DRI’s operational guidelines: “Honorable ADG Sir, is this the course of action instructed to the DRI officials?”
Moreover, Ranya’s harrowing account alleges further threats during her transport to the court. She claims to have been intimidated into silence about the mistreatment she suffered during her detention—particularly the threat that if she disclosed the assaults before the judge, her father’s name would be implicated in the smuggling case. “I do not agree with the records and statements recorded during the detention period. I do not agree with it,” she implored in her correspondence to the DRI.
This ongoing investigation into Ranya Rao sheds light on her alleged involvement in gold smuggling. It raises critical questions surrounding the ethics and accountability of authority figures within the state apparatus. It underscores the potential for misuse of power within the corridors of governance and law enforcement, especially when personal connections appear to influence procedural integrity.
Mandatory leave for DGP Rao
The state government issued a circular on March 16 mandating the immediate placement of K. Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police (DGP) and Ranya’s stepfather, on “mandatory leave.”
The government has appointed K.V. Sharath Chandra, the Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment), to take over Ramachandra Rao’s position during this period. The directive emphasises that Ramachandra Rao’s leave comes after ongoing investigations into the gold smuggling case involving his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao.
According to the governmental order, the decision to place Dr K Ramachandra Rao on mandatory leave was taken to facilitate the investigation into the smuggling allegations against Ranya, particularly concerning how police protocols may have been misused.
During the investigation, the DRI reported that state police protocol officials were allegedly utilised to facilitate smuggling by bypassing advanced security measures. Investigators indicated that Ramachandra Rao had instructed family members to assist in circumventing the legal framework. The DRI stated, “We assert that smuggling occurred with the assistance of the state police protocol service. Without this, it would have been impossible for Ranya to even reach the green channel.”
In the context of these serious allegations, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao has maintained a stance of shock regarding the incident involving his stepdaughter. He has expressed his surprise at the allegations that Ranya was involved in smuggling activities, asserting that he was unaware of her actions. “Like any parent, I am stunned by this occurrence. I only learned about her arrest through media reports,” he remarked.
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