Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka Govt reinstates senior IPS officer father; posted as DGP

The Karnataka government has reinstated senior IPS officer Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, who had been on compulsory leave since March this year.Rao, a 1993-batch officer, was sent on leave after his stepdaughter, Kannada actor Ranya Rao, was arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case.In a fresh order by the Karnataka Government, the state administration announced that the earlier directive has been revoked and Rao has been posted as Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, with immediate effect. The posting comes in an upgraded vacant position, signaling his full return to official duties.Check the order here:

Background to the controversy

Dr. Rao was serving as Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation when his name surfaced in connection with the smuggling case.In March, Ranya Rao was detained at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport with 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore while returning from Dubai. During the probe, a protocol officer at the airport told the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) that he had facilitated the actor’s travel under instructions from the DGP. Rao, however, firmly denied the allegations, describing himself as a “heartbroken parent” and stating he only learned of her arrest through the media, as Ranya had been living separately following her recent marriage.

Current status of the accused

The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Advisory Board recently ordered one-year detention for Ranya Rao and her co-accused — Tarun Kondaru Raju and Sahil Jain. The directive, issued by the DRI on May 23, also prevents them from applying for bail during this period.Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranya Rao has acted in several films including 'Pataki', 'Wagah' and 'Maanikya'