No direct link of DGP in gold case involving actress: Report

Karnataka director general of police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao was aware of protocol assistance to his stepdaughter and Kannada actor Ranya Rao, but no evidence was found that he was directly involved in the alleged gold smuggling that she was accused of, a government inquiry has found, officials aware of the matter said on Monday.

- Arun Dev

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BENGALURU: Karnataka director general of police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao was aware of protocol assistance to his stepdaughter and Kannada actor Ranya Rao, but no evidence was found that he was directly involved in the alleged gold smuggling that she was accused of, a government inquiry has found, officials aware of the matter said on Monday.

The probe report—prepared by additional chief secretary Gaurav Gupta and looking at allegations of misuse of police protocol and possible involvement of Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case—was submitted to the Karnataka government on Thursday last week.

According to an official in the know of the report, the report did not establish any direct involvement of Ramachandra Rao.

"The findings indicate that while Ramachandra Rao was aware of protocol assistance being extended to Ranya Rao and that she had used his official car multiple times from the airport, there is no conclusive evidence proving he arranged it," a senior official said.

According to the official, the report also did not "connect him" to the alleged gold smuggling case.