Ranya Rao caught smuggling gold from Dubai
Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold, valued at over Rs.12.56 crore, from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confirmed her arrest on Tuesday.
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
DRI surveillance and arrest
Acting on a tip-off, DRI officials intercepted Rao upon her arrival on an Emirates flight from Dubai. Authorities had placed her under surveillance after noticing four international trips to Dubai within 15 days, raising suspicions of illegal activity.
She was arrested on Monday night and produced before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody.
How the gold was smuggled
Investigators revealed that Rao concealed gold bars in her clothing and wore a significant portion as jewelry. A substantial quantity of smuggled gold was hidden inside her jacket.
Officials suspect she may have attempted to use her connections to evade customs checks and contacted local police personnel for an airport escort before her arrest.
Possible links to a smuggling syndicate
Authorities are now investigating whether:
- Ranya Rao acted alone or was part of a larger gold smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.
- Any law enforcement officers, including her IPS stepfather, were aware of her activities or were misled into assisting her.
Following her arrest, she was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning.
DRI raids actress’s residence, seizes gold and cash
DRI officials searched Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road, where she lives with her husband. The raid led to the seizure of Rs.2.06 crore worth of gold jewelry and Rs.2.67 crore in cash.
She was booked under the Customs Act, 1962, and remains in judicial custody.
One of Bengaluru airport’s biggest gold seizures
According to DRI, this 14.2 kg gold seizure is among the largest recorded at Bengaluru International Airport in recent years.
Ranya Rao’s film career
Ranya Rao is best known for starring alongside Kannada superstar Sudeep in Maanikya (2014). She has also appeared in several South Indian films.
Authorities continue their investigation to uncover further details of the smuggling network.
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Take the customs duty & let her go. Punish the police officials who assisted her. She did no crime, brought solid gold to India (though not an olypic gold – which is coated gold). She is making India rich & contributing her share for increasing gold reserves of India.
When red handed corrupt people like Killjiwal is let off, Laloo is let off, Mumtaz is let off in rape & murder of RG Hospital, Kolkatta, …. why arrest & harm this pretty lady, allow her to pay customs duty, take some special selfies with this pretty lady and let her go… not doing so is criminal
carrying 14.5 kgs of gold on her body is a task by itself by this lady with tender body she carried that much weight all the way from Dubai
Dubai scanners at security is for fire arms or explosives, but not for carrying solid gold.
Indian system is sick & pathetic to arrest a sincere & honest, working hard for her living.
It is said that Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi warrior armour weighed much more…she is extolled but not this cinema actress who is popular & pretty.