Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: A special economic crimes court in Karnataka's capital Bengaluru on Wednesday (March 12) reserved its decision on the bail plea of Kannada actress Ranya Rao. Ranya Rao has been arrested in the case of gold smuggling worth crores of rupees. The Director of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told the court that the protocol officer who allegedly helped Ranya Rao avoid security checks at Bengaluru airport had received instructions from seniors. The court is likely to pronounce its verdict on March 14.
Ranya Rao is the daughter of a senior IPS officer of Karnataka. Senior advocate Kiran Javali, representing Rao, argued during the bail hearing that the DRI officials did not follow proper legal procedures during the arrest and interrogation. Javali said that the arrest document issued did not clearly state the grounds of arrest, as required under the Supreme Court guidelines in the DK Basu case.
He said such procedural lapses justify granting bail regardless of the seriousness of the charges. The DRI's legal team, while opposing the bail plea, highlighted the seriousness of the charges against Rao. He was accused of being involved in a major gold smuggling case.
He argued that granting bail to Ranya Rao could hamper the investigation and potentially lead to tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 with gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore. The DRI is investigating the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. At the same time, the CBI has also joined the investigation.
Investigation ordered against father
The Karnataka government has appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to probe the role of Ranya Rao's stepfather and DGP rank officer K. Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case. The Chief Minister's Office told the media on Tuesday that the order appointing Gaurav Gupta was issued on Monday night. The government has also ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged lapses and dereliction of duty by police officers at Bengaluru airport.
Ramachandra Rao is currently working as the Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The government order said, "ACS Gaurav Gupta has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer to investigate the facts and circumstances regarding availing protocol related facilities and the role of Ramachandra Rao, the state DGP of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation in this case."
The order states that the investigating officer will have to start the investigation immediately and submit the investigation report within a week. The order states that film actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence when she was coming to Bengaluru with illegal gold from Dubai.
The order said that during the investigation of the case, it was reported in the media that the arrested Ranya misused the facilities given to senior officers at the airport. According to the order, it has been reported that the CID has also been directed to investigate the negligence shown by the policemen in discharging their duties during Ranya's departure and return from abroad.
