Bengaluru: Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao, the stepfather of actor Ranya Rao—who was recently arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case—has been placed on “compulsory leave” with immediate effect, the state government announced in a circular, media reports.

The order, issued this evening, did not mention any specific reason for the decision.

Meanwhile, KV Sharath Chandra, Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment), has been appointed to concurrently oversee the role of Chairman & Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Bengaluru, a position previously held by Rao, according to a Hindustan Times report.

NDTV reported that DGP Ramachandra Rao had  said he was “shocked” and “devastated” over his stepdaughter’s arrest. "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 also mentioned that she had been living separately with her husband and suggested that family issues might have been involved "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."

Initial investigations indicate that Ranya Rao allegedly leveraged her connections to bypass security checks, introducing herself as the daughter of a Karnataka DGP and reaching out to local police for an escort.

However, authorities had already been monitoring her movements, particularly after she made four trips to Dubai in a short span of 15 days.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested the actress at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai, seizing gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore.

According to sources, she attempted to smuggle the gold by wearing a substantial portion and concealing the rest in her clothing.

Following her arrest, officials raided her residence, where she lived with her husband, and discovered gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore along with ₹2.67 crore in cash.

Three investigative agencies are handling different aspects of the case: the DRI is focused on Rao’s direct involvement, the CBI is probing the larger smuggling network and its operatives, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is examining the hawala money trail linked to the racket.

The Karnataka government has launched an inquiry into the alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol privileges by the actress.

Ranya Rao alleges assault by DRI officials

Earlier on Monday, Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, a key accused in the smuggling case, alleged that she was assaulted by DRI officials and forced to sign blank and pre-typed documents.

In a letter dated March 6 and addressed to the Additional Director General of the DRI in Bengaluru, she claimed that a false case had been fabricated against her.

She further stated that she was wrongly accused of smuggling over 14 kg of gold upon her return from Dubai. "Your officers did not permit me to explain that I am innocent in this matter," she wrote in her complaint.

The actress also alleged physical mistreatment, stating that from the time of her detention until she was presented in court, she was slapped between 10 to 15 times.

Ranya Rao’s bail rejected

On Saturday, a special court for economic offences denied Ranya Rao's bail plea after the DRI argued that the Karnataka Police Protocol Officer had been exploited in the smuggling operation.

Opposing the bail request, the agency informed the court that Rao had travelled to Dubai 27 times since January this year.

"The investigation till date has unearthed the sophisticated methodology used in smuggling the gold, usage of State Police Protocol Officer to bypass security, Hawala Transaction to transfer the funds from India to Dubai to purchase gold, involvement of larger syndicate," the DRI stated in its submission.