The high-profile gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao has taken a political turn, with the Karnataka government sending Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Ramachandra Rao on &ldquo;compulsory leave&rdquo; and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stepping in to probe the involvement of public servants in the racket. With the arrest of Ranya Rao at Bengaluru&rsquo;s Kempegowda International Airport with 12 kg of smuggled gold, the case has snowballed into a major controversy, sparking allegations of political shielding and high-level collusion.
ADGP Ramachandra Rao Removed, CBI Steps In
Ramachandra Rao, stepfather of actress Ranya Rao, has been relieved of his duties, and a new ADGP has been appointed in his place. The government circular announcing his removal came amid mounting pressure after reports suggested that police protocol officers were used to facilitate the smuggling operation. The state government initially handed the case to the CID but later withdrew it, paving the way for a CBI probe.
In a startling development, the CBI has filed an FIR against an &ldquo;unknown public servant,&rdquo; despite mounting evidence suggesting that Rao may have played a role in helping his stepdaughter evade security checks at the airport.
Ranya Rao Alleges Assault, DRI Denies Bail
Ranya Rao, who was arrested on March 3 with 14.8 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore, has made serious allegations against the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). In a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of DRI in Bengaluru, she claimed she was assaulted and coerced into signing blank papers. The DRI, however, has maintained that the evidence against her is overwhelming, citing her extensive travel history to Dubai&mdash;27 trips since January alone&mdash;as proof of her deep involvement in smuggling operations.
Her bail plea was denied on Saturday after the agency revealed in court that the smuggling network had used Karnataka Police Protocol Officers to bypass security procedures. Officials also uncovered a sophisticated network that relied on hawala transactions to move funds from India to Dubai for purchasing gold.
Constable Confirms ADGP&rsquo;s Role
In a key revelation, protocol officer Basavaraj, who assisted Ranya Rao at the airport, disclosed during interrogation that he was acting on the direct orders of senior officials. He specifically named ADGP Ramachandra Rao as the person who had instructed him to ensure Rao&rsquo;s smooth passage through airport security. This testimony has raised suspicions that the gold smuggling ring may have had backing at the highest levels of the state police.
Meanwhile, another constable stationed at Kempegowda Airport Police Station has denied any involvement, asserting that his role was strictly limited to protocol duties. However, with the CBI now probing the case, more details about police involvement are expected to emerge.
Political Mudslinging Begins
As the investigation deepens, political parties in Karnataka have seized the opportunity to attack each other. The BJP has accused the Congress-led government of shielding a powerful minister linked to the case, questioning the abrupt withdrawal of the CID probe. BJP leaders have claimed that if the case had remained with state agencies, it would have been buried under political pressure.
The Congress, in turn, has hit back, alleging that the previous BJP government had granted Ranya Rao 12 acres of land for a TMT steel bar manufacturing unit. &ldquo;Those who are pointing fingers now must first answer why the BJP government facilitated business deals for Ranya Rao in the past,&rdquo; said a senior Congress leader.
Home Minister Assures Fair Probe
Karnataka&rsquo;s Home Minister G. Parameshwara has stated that the investigation will be thorough and unbiased. &ldquo;The CBI is now handling the case, and the truth will emerge soon. No one involved, whether from the police or political circles, will be spared,&rdquo; he said in a statement.
With the case growing murkier, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this is merely an isolated smuggling incident or if it reveals a larger nexus between public officials, law enforcement, and international smuggling syndicates. Meanwhile, with a senior police officer under scrutiny, the case has already shaken the state&rsquo;s political and administrative establishment.

Customs and DRI's gold seizure at Bengaluru airport (file photo) and Ranya Rao in DRI custody

CBI investigates public servant links in gold smuggling; political battle intensifies in Karnataka

ADGP Sent on Leave, CBI Probes Karnataka Gold Smuggling

CBI investigates public servant links in gold smuggling; political battle intensifies in Karnataka

March 15, 2025 | 21:30 IST