The Karnataka government has issued an immediate directive placing Ramachandra Rao, Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) and step-father of actress Ranya Rao, on compulsory leave following his alleged involvement in a high-profile gold smuggling case.
DGP Ramachandra Rao Replaced
The state government has appointed KV Sharath Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment), to take over Rao’s position as Chairman & Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Bengaluru.
Ranya Rao’s Allegations Against DRI Officials
Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, popularly known as Ranya Rao, a key accused in the case, has claimed that officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) physically assaulted her and forced her to sign blank and pre-typed documents.
In a letter to the Additional Director General of DRI, Bengaluru, dated March 6, Ranya Rao alleged that a false case had been framed against her. She further claimed that she was wrongly accused of smuggling 14 kg of gold while returning from Dubai.
Bail Denied to Ranya Rao
On Saturday, the Special Court for Economic Offences denied Ranya Rao’s bail plea. The DRI informed the court that the Karnataka Police Protocol Officer was misused in the smuggling racket.
According to court documents, Ranya Rao traveled to Dubai 27 times since January, raising suspicions about her involvement in an organized gold smuggling syndicate. The investigation has revealed a sophisticated smuggling operation, which included:
- Bypassing security using a Karnataka State Police Protocol Officer
- Hawala transactions to fund gold purchases in Dubai
- Links to a larger smuggling network
Ranya Rao’s Claims of Assault & Coercion
Ranya Rao alleged that she was slapped 10 to 15 times while in custody. She claimed that DRI officers denied her the opportunity to prove her innocence.
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