Senior IPS officer Dr. K Ramachandra Rao, Director-General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation), has expressed shock and devastation over the arrest of his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, in a gold smuggling case. Ranya was taken into custody at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday night after Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials allegedly found 14.8 kilograms of gold in her possession.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Rao sought to distance himself from the controversy, stating, "The law will do its job. There is no black mark on my career." He maintained that he had no prior knowledge of Ranya’s alleged involvement in smuggling activities and came to know about the arrest only through media reports.
"Like any other father, I was shocked and devastated when it came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things. I don't want to say anything more," he said.
Clarifying his relationship with Ranya, Rao added, "She is not living with us. She is living separately with her husband. There must be some problem between them… (maybe) due to some family issues."
Ranya is the daughter of Rao’s second wife from her previous marriage. After his first wife passed away, Rao remarried, and his second wife had two daughters from her earlier marriage, including Ranya.
The arrest comes after allegations that she was involved in smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai into India. In light of the situation, Congress MLA and Legal Advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, made a statement regarding the arrest.
Ponnanna asserted that Ranya was being treated as any other accused, saying, "She is an accused for indulging in smuggling. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP's, the CM's or the Prime Minister's daughter...If there is any official nexus involved in this, it will come out in the investigation."
DRI officials, who had been tipped off about her suspected involvement in gold smuggling, stationed a team at the airport ahead of her arrival.
Following the landing of her flight, she was arrested and taken into custody by the DRI. On March 4, 2025, Ranya was produced before a special court judge for financial offences, where she was remanded into judicial custody until March 18, 2025.
Before being transferred to custody, Ranya underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru. The actress, during questioning, claimed her visit to Dubai was for business purposes. However, DRI officials allege that she was carrying a significant amount of gold intended to be smuggled into India. As of now, Ranya remains in judicial custody while the DRI continues its investigation into the case.
Later on Wednesday, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized assets worth Rs 4.73 crore from the Lavelle Road residence of Ranya Rao.
The DRI confirmed the seizure of jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore from her home, where she resides with her husband. The agency stated that the total seizure in the case, including the gold intercepted at the airport, stands at Rs 17.29 crore.
Reacting to the development, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the DRI was handling the investigation. "Until and unless the DRI comes out with definite information, I will not be able to react. If I say something now, it would be mere speculation. If it were our police, we would have had more details. Misuse of protocol, if any, needs to be examined. I have discussed the matter with the state police chief and internally asked for a review, but since the DRI is investigating, the state police cannot conduct a parallel probe," he said.
(With inputs from ANI, ENS)
