BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has officially announced that DGP Ramachandra Rao, the stepfather of gold smuggling accused Kannada actor Ranya Rao, has been placed on compulsory leave. Currently, the IPS officer is serving as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.
As per the state government order, Sri. K.V. Sharath Chandra, IPS (KN-1997), Additional Director General of Police, Recruitment, has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Bengaluru, replacing Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, IPS, who has been placed on compulsory leave.
Ranya Rao is currently detained at the Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru. She was arrested after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her at Kempegowda International Airport upon her return from Dubai on March 3.
Recently, a letter written by Ranya Rao emerged, detailing her alleged mistreatment by a DRI officer. She claimed to have been physically assaulted, deprived of sleep and food, and forced to sign numerous documents under pressure. Rao accused the officer of threatening to involve her father in the case if she did not comply.
Rao also stated that she was wrongly accused by an officer from Delhi to protect another passenger on the flight. She was taken into custody without prior notice while still on the plane.
After her bail application was rejected by the Economic Offences Court, Ranya Rao filed a bail petition in the Sessions Court. Her legal team submitted the petition seeking relief in the ongoing case. The bail hearing in the Sessions Court is scheduled to take place on Monday.
