Bengaluru:
The Karnataka government has launched an inquiry into the alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol privileges by actress Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case. The probe will also examine any potential role played by her stepfather, Dr K Ramachandra Rao, an IPS officer and Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka.
Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling gold bars worth Rs 12 crore from Dubai to Bengaluru. She allegedly used VIP airport privileges, meant for senior officials, to bypass security checks and facilitate her smuggling operations.
Ms Rao allegedly used her father’s name and position as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation to gain unauthorised access to restricted airport facilities. The Karnataka government has issued an order to investigate the circumstances under which protocol privileges were extended to Ranya Rao and whether her father had any involvement in the matter.
The state government has appointed Gaurav Gupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, as the investigating officer. The investigation has been ordered to begin immediately, with a final report expected within one week.
The gold smuggling case has triggered a political debate in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP accusing each other of wrongdoing. The BJP has alleged that the Congress played a role in shielding Ms Rao from scrutiny. The Congress, in turn, has accused the BJP of granting land to a company linked to the actress under questionable circumstances.
BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra took to social media to criticise the government, stating,
“Media reports about the involvement of a prominent minister in @siddaramaiah’s government in one of the biggest gold heists in recent times come as no surprise – especially given this government’s track record of churning out scandals in increasingly ‘innovative’ ways!”
He further alleged that the misuse of government protocols to smuggle gold worth over Rs 12 crore could not have happened without high-level political backing. Mr Vijayendra warned that any attempt to shield those responsible would backfire, particularly with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stepping in.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara maintained that the investigation was ongoing and that the government would not intervene until the findings were clear.
“Until the investigation concludes, we cannot say anything. Neither I nor the government can offer any such feedback,” he said.
Karnataka minister MB Patil countered the BJP’s allegations by pointing out that during the previous BJP-led administration, 12 acres of land had been allotted to a company linked to Ranya Rao.