The move has triggered a fresh wave of debate in political and policing circles about governance, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement.
K Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer, has been reinstated by the Karnataka government and named Director General of Police (DGP) for the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement. This ruling follows months after Rao was placed on mandatory leave when his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, was arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case.
The move has triggered a fresh wave of debate in political and policing circles about governance, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement.
In a notification cited by news agency PTI, the government withdrew the compulsory leave order imposed on Rao in March.
“The order of compulsory leave concerning Dr K Ramachandra Rao, IPS (KN 1993) is hereby withdrawn and the officer is posted with immediate effect and until further orders as Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement in the upgraded vacant post,” the order stated.
The post has been declared equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre post of DGP, Criminal Investigation Department, Special Units and Economic Offences, Bengaluru, under Rule 12 of the IPS (Pay) Rules 2016.
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Before his reinstatement, Rao served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.
On March 3, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after she arrived from Dubai. Authorities seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from her possession.
The next day, the DRI recovered gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and cash worth ₹2.67 crore from her Bengaluru residence. The 34-year-old actress was accused of misusing police escorts to bypass Customs checks at the airport.
The state government had formed a panel, led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, to examine whether Rao had any role in the smuggling activities. Rao appeared before the committee for questioning.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that Ranya had allegedly misused police escorts, provided in violation of rules, to evade Customs checks. The Gaurav Gupta Committee was tasked with probing both the misuse of police protocol services and Rao’s possible involvement.
Rao was sent on mandatory leave on March 15 while the inquiry was underway.
Rao, who was the subject of intense public scrutiny during the case, is greatly relieved to have been reinstated. The state has not yet made public the committee's complete conclusions, but the fact that his mandatory leave was revoked indicates that there was no concrete proof connecting him to the smuggling.
But according to legal experts and former police officials, the case highlights a more serious problem: the possibility that the family members of senior officers will abuse their official rights. Even if the officer is not directly involved, critics argue that such incidents can erode public confidence in the police.
Given that Rao's reinstatement occurs only months after a scandal that garnered national exposure, opposition leaders have questioned the timing of the move. According to a political analyst, the action can draw criticism from the public if the administration doesn't keep the committee's conclusion transparent.
Although law enforcement experts caution that stricter procedures are required to stop future abuse of police escorts, they also think the ruling sends a message that due process will be followed.
High-profile scandals involving top officials' families can have a lasting impact on careers and institutional integrity, as the example continues to serve as a reminder. The Karnataka government has restored veteran IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao and appointed him Director General of Police (DGP) for the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.
This ruling follows months after Rao was placed on mandatory leave when his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, was arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case.
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