Sat Mar 15 17:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Top Cop Placed on Leave Amid Stepdaughter’s Gold Smuggling Arrest

**Bengaluru, India** – The Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation), K Ramachandra Rao, has been placed on compulsory leave following the arrest of his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, on gold smuggling charges. The order, issued this evening, did not cite a reason.

Ranya Rao was arrested earlier this month at Bengaluru airport after 14.8 kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 12.56 crore (approximately $1.5 million USD), was discovered in her possession upon her arrival from Dubai. Authorities allege she attempted to smuggle the gold by wearing a significant amount and concealing the rest in her clothing. Further searches of her home uncovered additional gold jewelry worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.

Preliminary investigations suggest Rao may have leveraged her stepfather’s position to bypass security checks, reportedly identifying herself as the DGP’s daughter and requesting police escort. Authorities had been monitoring her movements for some time, noting four trips to Dubai within 15 days prior to her arrest.

Three agencies are currently investigating the case: the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is focusing on Rao’s involvement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the wider smuggling network, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating potential money laundering through Hawala channels. The Karnataka government has also initiated an inquiry into Rao’s alleged misuse of VIP airport protocols.

Following his stepdaughter’s arrest, Rao stated he was unaware of her activities and expressed shock and devastation at the news. He attributed the situation to potential family problems between Rao and her husband.

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