DGP Ramachandra Rao denies knowledge of stepdaughter's involvement in gold smuggling
Bengaluru, Mar 6 (PTI): DGP of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, Ramachandra Rao on Thursday denied any knowledge of his stepdaughter Ranya Rao's alleged involvement in gold smuggling, calling the situation "unimaginable".
Authorities seized gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from Kannada actress Ranya Rao at the Kempegowda international airport here recently. Subsequent searches at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore, according to Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
In a press statement, Rao expressed deep distress over the incident, saying his reputation has been tarnished irreparably.
He emphasised his lifelong dedication to honesty, integrity and discipline and said his commitment to public service has always been his priority.
“It is deeply distressing that, despite this lifelong dedication, my reputation and family's future are now being tarnished by something
beyond our control,” the top police official said.
“I understand that in speculative times like these, my years of hard work may be unfairly associated with these events.”
Rao further said, “I ask all of you to recognise that I too am a grieving parent. I had no knowledge of such an unimaginable situation unfolding in my life. I respectfully ask from everyone, fairness towards both myself and my family.”
The DGP assured that if any laws were violated by Ranya, legal action would be taken.
Ranya is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao.
The DGP-rank officer is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
The total seizure in the case stood at Rs 17.29 crore, including assets worth Rs 4.73 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks.
According to DRI, the 14.2 kg haul is one of the largest gold seizures at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
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Chinese products showcased at AI Summit; irreparable damage caused to country's image: Cong
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dubbed the ongoing AI Summit a "disorganised PR spectacle" and alleged that Chinese products are being showcased there.
Gandhi's remarks came amid a controversy over Galgotias University allegedly showcasing a robotic dog labelled "Orion" at the AI Summit Expo that critics said was actually a Chinese-made Unitree Go2 and not an in-house innovation.
"Instead of leveraging India's talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle - Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased," the former Congress president said in a post on X.
According to sources, Galgotias University has been asked to vacate its stall at the AI Summit Expo immediately.
Gandhi also tagged a post of the Congress which alleged, "The Modi government has made a laughing stock of India globally, with regard to AI."
"In the ongoing AI Summit, Chinese robots are being displayed as our own," he charged.
The Congress claimed that the Chinese media has mocked India.
"This is truly embarrassing for India. What is even more shameful is the fact that Modi's minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is indulging in the same falsehood, promoting China's robots at the Indian summit," it said.
"The Modi Government has caused irreparable damage to the image of the country - they have reduced AI to a joke - a field in which we could be world leaders given our data power. Brazenly shameless," the party said on X.
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said in a post on X, "Ashwini Vaishnaw has proved that in India AI means 'Ashwini is Incompetent'."
"As for the 'Pradhan (Tamasha) Mantri' - every event is a 'Jhappi-pappi' fest. This was supposed to be an AI Summit - a platform for innovation and exchange of ideas. BJP reduced it to a cheap China Bazaar," Khera said in his post, adding that the Gen Z of the country would not forgive them.
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