- March 26, 2025
Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Probe Reveals Actor’s IPS Stepfather Was Aware Of Her Protocol Misuse – News18
Last Updated:
Sources said the investigation team believes there is prima facie evidence suggesting that Ramachandra Rao knew about his stepdaughter’s violation of protocol
Rao, who was arrested on March 3 and remains in judicial custody until March 24, claims she is innocent and is being framed. File pic/X
A new probe report in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao has been accessed by News18, revealing that IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao was aware of his stepdaughter’s misuse of protocol privileges.
According to government sources, the investigation team believes there is prima facie evidence suggesting that Ramachandra Rao knew about his stepdaughter’s violation of protocol.
This development comes a day after Ranya Rao admitted during interrogation that the money used to purchase gold was transferred through hawala channels.
“Money has been sent to Ranya Rao through hawala, she has confessed that,” senior advocate Madhu Rao, representing the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), had said during proceedings before a special court in the case.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of DGP-rank officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3, upon her arrival from Dubai, where gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized. Subsequent searches by the DRI at her residence uncovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.
Following this, Ramachandra Rao, a 1993-batch IPS officer, was placed on “compulsory leave” by the Karnataka government.
The government order had stated that the charge of chairman and managing director for the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, previously held by Rao, will now be concurrently managed by KV Sharath Chandra, a 1997-batch IPS officer and additional DGP for recruitment.
On Tuesday, a bail plea hearing for Ranya Rao was held at the 64th CCH Sessions Court in Bengaluru. During the proceedings, her counsel, Kiran Jawali, argued for her release, while DRI counsel Madhu Rao presented evidence linking her directly to the illicit transfer of funds.
The court had reserved its bail order for March 27 after hearing arguments from both sides.
(With inputs from agencies)
- Location :
Karnataka, India, India
