It is alleged that Ranya Rao (in picture) leveraged her connections to smuggle gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.

NEW DELHI: The involvement of Ranya Rao, a Kannada film industry starlet, in a high-profile gold smuggling case has sparked a massive furore in Karnataka.
The state’s government, under mounting pressure, swiftly handed the case over to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Monday evening.

However, a day later, the home department withdrew the order to probe potential lapses and dereliction of duty by police officers at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The subsequent order issued on Wednesday clarified that the CID investigation was being withdrawn as additional chief secretary Gaurav Gupta is already investigating the alleged role of Ranya’s stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, a senior officer of the Director General of Police (DGP) rank.

Gupta’s inquiry will focus on the circumstances surrounding the misuse of protocol-related facilities and the involvement of Ramachandra Rao in the case.
The controversy erupted after reports suggested that Ranya Rao had used VIP courtesy services at the airport to bypass security checks, thereby engaging in illegal activities. It is alleged that Ranya leveraged her connections to smuggle gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.
Ramachandra Rao, who is currently serving as the managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, is under investigation for his possible role in the scandal.
Recently, gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Bengaluru’s airport. In a follow-up search of her residence, authorities recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.
The case has given the opposition BJP fresh ammunition to target the ruling Congress government.

A BJP leader claimed that Ranya tried to contact “various Congress ministers” in an attempt to influence the case.
BJP leaders have pressed the government to reveal the names of ministers allegedly linked to the case, citing media reports.
They even posted a picture on social media showing Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and G Parameshwara with Ranya and her family, reportedly taken at her wedding.
Opposition leader R Ashoka slammed the government for dismissing reports of ministers’ alleged connections before a thorough investigation. He accused the ruling party of attempting to influence the ongoing probe.
However, deputy CM DK Shivakumar strongly rejected these allegations, asserting that there were no Congress links to the case. He challenged the opposition to provide evidence of any ministers’ involvement, emphasising that political connections should not be assumed based on public interactions, such as photographs taken at weddings or functions.
“These are baseless speculations. Just because someone takes a picture with me doesn’t mean they are connected to me. There may be a BJP link, but there is no Congress link,” Shivakumar stated. He further insisted that no Congress minister would support such criminal activities and demanded specific evidence if any minister was involved.
Expressing shock at how 14kg of gold was smuggled through airport security, Shivakumar said, “Even rings, watches and belts are removed during security checks. I’m shocked that 14kg of gold could be smuggled through the airport despite these checks. There will be an investigation.”
(With agency inputs)