Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, was questioned on March 17, 2025, in connection with the high-profile gold smuggling case that has stirred controversy in Karnataka. Rao, who is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, was placed on compulsory leave on March 15 following allegations linking his family to the smuggling racket.

DGP Ramachandra Rao’s Interrogation

The interrogation of DGP Ramachandra Rao was conducted by an investigating team headed by IAS officer Gaurav Gupta. According to sources, the Karnataka government had instructed the committee to submit its report within a week, and the findings are expected to be presented within the next two days.

Ramachandra Rao’s questioning comes in the wake of his stepdaughter Ranya Rao’s arrest, after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from her at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3.

Ranya Rao’s Arrest and Allegations

Ranya Rao, a prominent Kannada actor, was apprehended by the DRI after being found with gold bars smuggled from Dubai. She is currently lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru. The investigation revealed that Rao was allegedly acting as a courier in a larger smuggling network.

However, a letter written by Ranya Rao has raised serious concerns, as she alleged custodial torture after her arrest. In the letter, which surfaced recently, she claimed that she was hit and slapped by a DRI officer repeatedly, denied food and sleep, and was coerced into signing 50-60 typed pages and around 40 blank pages.

Rao’s letter also alleged that she was threatened that her stepfather’s name would be dragged into the case if she refused to comply. She further claimed that a DRI officer from Delhi had implicated her to protect another passenger on the same flight and that she was taken into custody without any explanation after landing.

Legal Proceedings and Bail Plea

Following the rejection of her bail application by the Economic Offences Court, Ranya Rao’s legal team moved the Sessions Court seeking bail on March 16. The court is set to hear the bail plea on March 19, after adjourning the matter during the hearing on March 17.

DGP Rao’s Role Under Scrutiny

The connection between DGP Ramachandra Rao and the smuggling case has intensified scrutiny, with investigators probing whether Rao had any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged illegal activities. While he maintains that he had no prior knowledge of his stepdaughter’s actions, the inquiry seeks to determine whether any influence or protection was extended to shield Ranya Rao.

Given the high-profile nature of the case and its implications for Karnataka’s law enforcement community, authorities are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a fair and transparent investigation.

Custodial Torture Allegations Spark Concern

The allegations of custodial torture have sparked outrage and raised questions about the treatment of women in custody. The claims made by Ranya Rao, if proven true, could cast a shadow on the integrity of the DRI’s investigation and raise concerns about the methods employed during interrogation.

The Smuggling Network and Ongoing Probe

Preliminary investigations suggest that Ranya Rao was acting as a carrier in an organized smuggling syndicate, which involved multiple operatives working across different locations. The DRI is exploring potential links between domestic handlers and international suppliers and has widened its investigation to trace the masterminds behind the racket.

Political and Public Reaction

The gold smuggling case has generated a political storm in Karnataka, with opposition parties criticizing the state government for its handling of the case. They have demanded a fair and impartial probe and called for stringent action against anyone found guilty, irrespective of their stature or position.

Next Steps: Awaiting Report Submission and Bail Hearing

As the investigation unfolds, the committee’s report will be crucial in determining the extent of DGP Ramachandra Rao’s involvement and whether he had any role in shielding his stepdaughter. The Sessions Court’s decision on March 19 will also be a pivotal moment, as it will decide whether Ranya Rao will be granted bail or remain in judicial custody.

With multiple layers to the investigation, the Karnataka government is under pressure to ensure justice prevails and uphold public trust in the law enforcement system.

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