Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao has been sent on compulsory leave, weeks after his stepdaughter, Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, was arrested in a gold smuggling case. According to news agency ANI, an official order stated that Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) KV Sharath Chandra, who currently handles recruitment, has been given concurrent charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Bengaluru, with immediate effect.
This comes as Ranya Rao, the prime accused in the case, filed a bail application in the Sessions Court today after her plea was rejected by the Economic Offences Court yesterday.
‘Slapped 10-15 Times’: Ranya Rao Claims Innocence, Alleges Custodial Assault
In a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Bengaluru on 6 March, Ranya alleged that she was assaulted and coerced into signing blank and typed papers while in custody, news agency PTI reported. “Your officers did not permit me to explain that I am innocent in this matter,” she wrote, claiming she was falsely accused of smuggling over 14 kg of gold upon her return from Dubai.
The actress further alleged that she was slapped in the face “10 to 15 times” while in custody. “Despite repeated hitting and slapping, I refused to sign the statement they prepared,” she stated, adding that she was forced to sign “50 to 60 typed papers and around 40 blank sheets.” Ranya also claimed that one of the officers threatened her, saying, “If you don’t sign, we will expose your father’s name and identity, even though we know he is not involved.”
The DRI, in an earlier press release, stated that gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport on 3 March. Subsequent searches at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
