The Karnataka government has placed IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police (DGP) and Additional Director General of Police for Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., on compulsory leave with immediate effect. The move follows an inquiry into allegations of power misuse and nepotism linked to the arrest of his stepdaughter, Kannada actress Ranya Rao, in a high-profile gold smuggling case.
The controversy erupted after Ranya was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Authorities seized 14.2 kg of gold biscuits strapped to her body upon her arrival from Dubai. Investigations suggest she was part of a larger smuggling syndicate and may have used her stepfather’s influence to bypass scrutiny.
A government notification, signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Vijayanagara Sountha, confirmed Rao’s immediate suspension pending further inquiry. The directive was forwarded to the Principal Accountant General, Bengaluru, and senior officials, including the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Karnataka Police Chief.
Rao, a senior IPS officer, has held key positions in Karnataka’s police administration, making his alleged indirect involvement in the scandal particularly alarming. The case took a dramatic turn with the arrest of her associate, Tarun Konduru Raju, a businessman from Bengaluru, and the recovery of digital evidence from her mobile phone and laptop. Investigators suspect a well-coordinated operation, raising concerns about possible complicity or negligence by powerful individuals.
In a fresh twist, Ranya Rao has accused the DRI of misconduct, alleging that officials assaulted her and coerced her into signing blank and pre-typed documents. In a letter to the Additional Director General of the DRI in Bengaluru, she claimed she was falsely implicated and denied the opportunity to prove her innocence. She insists she was not carrying 14 kg of gold and that the case against her has been fabricated.
With the SIT probing deeper into the scandal, the Rao family’s alleged involvement has intensified scrutiny on Karnataka’s law enforcement. The unfolding investigation is expected to reveal the extent of power abuse and potential links between influential figures and organized smuggling operations.
