Karnataka Gold Smuggling Row: The Karnataka government has launched an investigation into actress Ranya Rao’s alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol to bypass security while involved in a gold smuggling operation. The inquiry will also look into the possible role of her stepfather, Dr K Ramachandra Rao, an IPS officer and the Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka. Under the government’s orders, Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta will oversee the inquiry, with a final report anticipated within a week.
Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for smuggling gold bars worth Rs 12 crore from Dubai to Bengaluru. Authorities claim she exploited VIP privileges, intended for senior officials, to bypass airport security checks and facilitate her smuggling operations. It is alleged that Rao used her father's name, who holds the position of Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, to gain unauthorised access to restricted airport areas.
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Meanwhile, the DRI has also arrested Tarun Konduraju, the grandson of Atria Hotel’s owner, for his alleged role in the operation involving actress Ranya Rao. Officials believe he was a close associate of Rao, who also accompanied her to Dubai and played a key role in the smuggling network. The Special Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru has granted the DRI five days of custody for Raju for further interrogation to uncover his involvement.
Political Reactions
The gold smuggling case has ignited political tensions in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP trading accusations. The BJP claims that the Congress is trying to shield Rao from scrutiny, while Congress leaders have countered by alleging that the BJP granted land to a company associated with the actress under dubious circumstances.
BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra expressed his concerns on social media, stating, "Media reports about the involvement of a prominent minister in @siddaramaiah's government in one of the biggest gold heists in recent times come as no surprise." He suggested that the smuggling operation could not have occurred without significant political support.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that the government would refrain from making any comments until the findings are clear. Karnataka minister MB Patil responded to the BJP's criticisms by noting that during the previous BJP administration, land had been allocated to a company linked to Ranya Rao.