India, March 15 -- Ramachandra Rao, the DGP step-father of actor Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case, has been sent on "compulsory leave" with immediate effect, the Karnataka government announced in a circular.

KV Sharath Chandra, the Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment), has been appointed to concurrently serve as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd Bengaluru, a position held by Rao's stepfather.

Earlier in the day, Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, a key accused in the gold smuggling case, alleged that officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) assaulted her and forced her to sign...