The Karnataka government has withdrawn the CID probe into the alleged role of police personnel in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case.
The Karnataka government on Wednesday withdrew its earlier order directing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate possible lapses by police personnel at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in connection with the gold smuggling case involving actor Ranya Rao. The CID probe was ordered on Monday night but was rescinded two days later. A revised order stated that a separate inquiry is already underway, led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, to examine the possible involvement of Ranya’s stepfather, senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, in the case.
Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-rank officer, currently serves as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Gupta’s inquiry will focus on how protocol privileges may have been misused and whether Rao had any role in facilitating the smuggling attempt.
The case came to light after customs officials seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from Ranya Rao at the airport. Subsequent searches at her residence led to the recovery of additional gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, officials said.