BENGALURU, 16 MARCH

Ramachandra Rao, the Karnataka Director General of Police (Recruitment) and Managing Director of the State Police Housing Board, is expected to receive a notice from central investigative agencies regarding alleged breaches of protocol linked to a gold smuggling case.

Currently on mandatory leave due to the ongoing investigation, Rao is reportedly facing scrutiny from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who are preparing to summon him for questioning.

The controversy arose following the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao in connection to the gold smuggling case, with claims that she was granted illegal VIP protocol privileges at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) under Rao's alleged directives. Head Constable Basavaraju, part of the airport's protocol division, testified to the DRI that Rao instructed officials to extend such privileges to family and close friends.

Basavaraju revealed that Ranya contacted him from Dubai on 3 March, requesting expedited passage through the airport's green channel. He, alongside Constable Dhanush Kumar, facilitated her return. Basavaraju insisted he was merely following orders, unaware of any smuggling activities.

With corroborating testimonies emerging, the state government is set to issue an official notice to Rao. Meanwhile, IAS officer Gaurav Gupta and DIG Vamshikrishna are conducting an internal review of airport security protocols. DGP KV Sharath Chandra has assumed interim charge of Rao’s roles.