Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) after being caught smuggling 14 kg of gold at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. The
Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) after being caught smuggling 14 kg of gold at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. The seized gold, valued at ₹14.56 crore, marks one of the largest confiscations in recent times at the airport.
Authorities had been monitoring Ranya Rao’s travel history due to her frequent visits to Dubai. Investigators revealed that she had traveled to Dubai 27 times in a single year, raising suspicions of her involvement in a gold smuggling network.
The 33-year-old actor was remanded to judicial custody from March 4 to March 18. During her bail plea hearing, the Customs department sought a four-day custody extension. However, her lawyer objected, stating that the DRI had no further questions and was now seeking custody only because she had applied for bail. The court is expected to deliver a decision on this matter soon.
Reports indicate that Ranya Rao was earning lucrative commissions for smuggling gold from Dubai to Bengaluru. She allegedly received ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per kilogram of gold smuggled.
Following her arrest, officials conducted a search at her residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. Authorities seized gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash from the premises.
Ranya Rao’s stepfather, senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, distanced himself from the case, stating that he was unaware of her activities. Expressing his shock, he said,
“Like any other father, I was shocked and devastated when I learned about this through the media. I was not aware of any of these things.”
He also clarified that Ranya Rao was living separately with her husband, indicating possible family issues. Currently, Mr. Rao serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
On the day of her arrest, Ranya Rao had just returned from Dubai on an Emirates flight. Authorities flagged her for investigation after discovering that she had traveled to Dubai four times in just 15 days. Upon inspection, officials found that she had smuggled gold by wearing a significant portion of it and concealing gold bars in her clothing.
Investigators are also probing whether she used her personal connections to evade airport security and whether she was working alone or as part of a larger smuggling ring.
