Gold smuggling racket: Actress Ranya Rao misused VIP airport protocols; fresh probe ordered – Star of Mysore

Her stepfather’s controversial previous resurfaces, together with his alleged involvement in 2014 Mysuru hawala case

Bengaluru: The State Authorities has launched an inquiry into the alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol privileges by actress Ranya Rao, who was lately arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold price Rs. 12 crore from Dubai. The case has ignited a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP, with either side buying and selling accusations of favouritism and canopy-ups.

Ranya Rao, whose full title is Harshavardhini Ranya, was arrested by the Directorate of Income Intelligence (DRI) per week in the past. Authorities allege that she exploited VIP airport privileges and protocols meant for senior officers to bypass safety checks, facilitating her smuggling operations.

A excessive-stage probe has been ordered to look at how protocol privileges had been prolonged to her and whether or not her stepfather, Dr. Okay. Ramachandra Rao, an IPS Officer and present DGP, performed any position. Rao is presently the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Improvement Company.

The order dated Mar. 10 acknowledged, “A report on how Ranya managed to bypass safety checks on the airport, how she accessed and misused privileges meant for prime officers and whether or not Karnataka State Police Housing Company MD Ramachandra Rao performed any position, has been sought inside per week.”

The Authorities has appointed Senior IAS Officer Gaurav Gupta, Further Chief Secretary, to steer the inquiry. High Police Officers, Karnataka Secretaries and the Division of Personnel and Administrative Reforms have been directed to offer all paperwork and help for the investigation.

Enterprise tycoon’s son arrested

In the meantime, DRI officers have arrested Tarun Konduru Raju, a detailed affiliate of Ranya, in reference to the case. Tarun belongs to the distinguished enterprise household that owns Bengaluru’s Atria Lodge. He was produced earlier than a Particular Choose, who remanded him to DRI custody for 5 days.

DRI knowledgeable the Court docket that information extracted from Ranya’s seized cell phone and laptop computer revealed hyperlinks between her and Tarun in a world gold smuggling racket. Investigators suspect that the duo, regardless of a falling-out after Ranya’s marriage to architect Jatin Hukkeri, continued their                                            illicit operations.

Judicial Custody until Mar. 24

Throughout a Court docket listening to yesterday, Ranya accused DRI officers of verbally abusing her at any time when she stopped answering questions.

Nonetheless, the Investigating Officer (IO) refuted the claims, stating that she was not subjected to harassment however was merely refusing to co-function throughout interrogation.

“She refuses to reply any questions. Each time we ask, she stays silent. We now have recorded the whole investigation,” the officer instructed the Court docket. The Choose subsequently despatched Ranya to judicial custody till Mar. 24.

2014 Mysuru hawala case

The case has additionally introduced renewed consideration to the controversial previous of DGP Ramachandra Rao. Ranya is one of two daughters from his second spouse’s earlier marriage and his title has surfaced in a number of scandals through the years.

In 2014, whereas serving because the Inspector Normal of Police (IGP) of the Southern Vary, Mysuru, he turned embroiled in a serious hawala scandal. Police intercepted a bus carrying hawala cash and seized Rs. 20 lakh.

Nonetheless, a Kerala-primarily based businessman later accused the Police of pocketing further cash. The businessman filed a case alleging that Rs. 2.07 crore had been looted from the bus heading to Kerala in Yelwal space.

The CID took over the case, and investigations led to the arrest of Police informants and even Ramachandra Rao’s private gunman. In consequence, he was faraway from his put up as IGP of the Southern Vary and reassigned to headquarters.

Two years later, Ramachandra Rao discovered himself in sizzling water once more. The CID questioned him and yet another senior IPS Officer concerning the deaths of gangsters Dharmaraj and Gangadhar Chadachana in reference to an alleged pretend encounter. Ramachandra Rao maintained that he didn’t know in regards to the case when questioned by the CID.