Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case:
Kannada actress Ranya Rao's stepfather, IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, has expressed shock and disappointment over Ranya's arrest in the gold smuggling case. He claims his career has remained spotless, although his past service record suggests otherwise.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sought Ranya Rao's custody for three days in relation to a national security investigation. This appeal was submitted to the Economic Offenses Court, where Ranya's defense lawyers have asked for time to file objections.
The DRI lawyers argued that objections should not affect the demand for custody, underlining the sensitive nature of the case. They mentioned protocol violations and assured that crucial details could not be revealed in open court. If necessary, investigation details could be submitted in a sealed envelope.
Significant developments have been communicated to the court over the past two days, and revealing details publicly could jeopardize the investigation. Asserting the need for custody, the DRI pointed out the possibility of a larger syndicate and the necessity for a multifaceted investigation.
The prosecution also cited the Supreme Court directive, allowing custody up to 40 days in such cases. The judge ruled that the bail plea would only be considered after the completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, IPS Ramachandra Rao stated that the law would take its course. He emphasized the absence of blemishes on his career and noted he had no prior knowledge of Ranya's alleged involvement in smuggling activities, learning about her arrest only through media reports.
He shared his surprise and helplessness upon hearing the news through media channels, asserting his unawareness just like any other parent. He added that Ranya no longer lives with them but instead with her husband, citing family issues as reasons for their strained relationship.
However, Ramachandra Rao's career hasn't been free of controversies. In 2014, during his tenure as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Southern Range, he was implicated in a significant hawala scandal. Police confiscated 2 million rupees from a bus carrying hawala money. Later, a Kerala businessman accused the police of seizing much more money.
The businessman filed a case, alleging the robbery of 207 million rupees from a bus headed to Kerala from Mysore's Yelwal region. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the case and arrested police informers and even Ramachandra Rao's personal gunman. Consequently, Rao was removed from his position as IGP and reassigned to headquarters.
Two years later, Ramachandra Rao found himself in more trouble when the CID questioned him and another senior IPS officer about the deaths of gangsters Dharamraj and Gangadhar Chadchana in a purported fake encounter. Rao claimed no knowledge of the case under CID investigation.
On March 3, Ranya Rao was apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kilograms of foreign gold bars worth 125.6 million rupees. Subsequently, she was placed under judicial custody for 14 days under the Customs Act of 1962. During interrogation, Ranya claimed she was blackmailed into smuggling gold.
