BENGALURU, 11 MARCH

The Karnataka government has appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to investigate the potential involvement of DGP rank officer K Ramachandra Rao in the alleged gold smuggling activities of his stepdaughter, Kannada actress Ranya Rao. The Chief Minister's office announced the decision on Tuesday following an order issued late Monday night.

Additionally, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry has been mandated to examine alleged lapses and dereliction of duty by police officers at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Ramachandra Rao currently serves as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

The government order stipulates that ACS Gaurav Gupta must commence the investigation immediately and submit a report within a week. The Director General of Police, the Inspector General of Police, and the Secretary of the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department have been instructed to provide all necessary documentation and support for the investigation.

Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly transporting gold bars illegally from Dubai to Bengaluru. Reports indicated that she misused courtesy facilities granted to high-ranking officials at the airport, allegedly leveraging her father's position to avoid security checks.

On 3 March, the DRI seized gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore from Ranya at the airport, with an additional seizure of jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash totalling Rs 2.67 crore from her residence the following day. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also joined the probe.