Probe on into ‘misuse of privileges’ by actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru airport; CID to investigate ‘lapses by police’

Meanwhile, the DRI, which is investigating a gold smuggling syndicate following the arrest, nabbed one more person in connection with the case on Sunday. The accused, Konduru Raju, belongs to a prominent business family in Bengaluru. His arrest comes after Rao allegedly revealed his role in the syndicate.

Ranya Rao was held with 14.2 kg of gold, worth over Rs 12.86 crore, at the airport on March 3. The probe comes following allegations that she exploited courtesy services extended to high-ranking officials at airports to evade security checks and carry out illegal activities. It has also been alleged that these privileges were extended to her by her stepfather Ramachandra Rao IPS, a DGP-rank officer who is the managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The actress is accused of using his name to bypass airport security protocols.

In response to the allegations, the government appointed senior IAS officer Gupta to examine the circumstances under which these privileges were availed and to assess the role of Ramachandra Rao IPS in the matter. The investigation will commence immediately and a report will be submitted to the government within a week.

The state government also directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police, along with the secretaries of the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, to provide all necessary documents and assistance to facilitate the inquiry.

The gold smuggling case has also turned into a full-blown political controversy with the Opposition BJP training its guns at the Congress government over the alleged protocol misuse. BJP leaders also demanded an inquiry into the alleged involvement of two senior Congress ministers in the case.