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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Karnataka Govt reinstates senior IPS officer father; posted as DGP
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The Karnataka government has reinstated senior IPS officer Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, who had been on compulsory leave since March this year. Rao, a 1993-batch officer, was sent on leave after his stepdaughter, Kannada actor Ranya Rao, was arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case. In a fresh order by the Karnataka Government, the state administration announced that the earlier directive has been revoked and Rao has been posted as Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, with immediate effect. The posting comes in an upgraded vacant position, signaling his full return to official duties. Check the order here: (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Background to the controversy Dr. Rao was serving as Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation when his name surfaced in connection with the smuggling case. In March, Ranya Rao was detained at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore while returning from Dubai. During the probe, a protocol officer at the airport told the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) that he had facilitated the actor's travel under instructions from the DGP. Rao, however, firmly denied the allegations, describing himself as a 'heartbroken parent' and stating he only learned of her arrest through the media, as Ranya had been living separately following her recent marriage. Current status of the accused The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Advisory Board recently ordered one-year detention for Ranya Rao and her co-accused — Tarun Kondaru Raju and Sahil Jain. The directive, issued by the DRI on May 23, also prevents them from applying for bail during this period. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranya Rao has acted in several films including 'Pataki', 'Wagah' and 'Maanikya'
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Karnataka HC denies bail to actress Ranya Rao in Rs 12.56 crore gold smuggling case
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The Karnataka High Court has dismissed the bail petitions filed by Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao and her co-accused Tarun Konduru Raju in connection with the Rs 12.56 crore gold smuggling case. Order passed by Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty According to the Live Law website, the order was passed by Justice S Vishwajith Shetty on Saturday, April 26. A detailed order is awaited. Earlier this week, the court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments from all parties. Rao and Raju have been charged under multiple sections of the Customs Act, including 135(1)(a), 135(1)(b), and related provisions, after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 2.49 kg of gold bars from Ranya Rao at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on March 3. Subsequent searches at her residence revealed gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in Indian currency. Wagah - Official Trailer 1 | Vikram Prabhu | Ranya | | GNR Kumaravelan Arguments on DRI's search and seizure Senior Advocate Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Ranya Rao, argued that the DRI's search and seizure were conducted in violation of the Customs Act. When questioned about the alleged provision of a protocol officer to Rao, it was informed that this angle is still under investigation, and the focus remains on the disposal of the seized gold. The DRI has not yet recorded the statement of Ranya's father, senior police official Ramchandra Rao. Not the first time This is not the first setback for Rao in her quest for bail. Previously, the Special Court for Economic Offences and the 64th CCH Sessions Court in Bengaluru had also rejected her bail applications. About Ranya Rao Ranya Rao, originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, transitioned to acting after completing her engineering degree from Dayananda Sagar College. She debuted with Sudeep's 2014 Kannada film 'Maanikya' and later featured in Tamil and Kannada movies like 'Wagah' and 'Pataki', unfortunately, both the films flopped at the box office with mixed reviews from the audiences. .
