Inquiry Into Gold Smuggling Reveals IPS Officer’s Stepdaughter Ranya Rao Repeatedly Used VIP Protocol At Bengaluru Airport

An official inquiry ordered by the Karnataka government has found that actress Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, repeatedly availed of police protocol services at Bengaluru International Airport whenever she returned from Dubai, reported The Indian Express.

The findings come amid allegations of misuse of state resources and security privileges.

According to sources familiar with the inquiry, official records and CCTV footage confirm that protocol services meant for senior officers were extended to Ranya Rao on multiple occasions. 

The probe revealed that she had utilised these privileges during all her foreign travels through Bengaluru airport.

The matter gained national attention after Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on 3 March for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore into India by concealing it on her person. 

Following her arrest, the Karnataka government ordered an investigation into the suspected misuse of protocol services.

The inquiry, led by senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta, has been completed, and a report is in the process of being submitted to the government. The panel was given a week to complete its findings.

The inquiry has uncovered official records and communication details indicating that Ramachandra Rao was in direct contact with both his stepdaughter and the protocol officer at Bengaluru airport during her Dubai visits. 

The investigation also found that on at least three occasions before her 3 March arrest, Ranya Rao was received at the airport by a state car assigned to the IPS officer.

Further scrutiny of her travel history has revealed that Ranya Rao made 27 trips to Dubai since January 2025, in addition to several visits in 2024. Authorities are now examining whether these frequent trips were linked to smuggling activities.