Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested at Bengaluru Airport for Alleged Gold Smuggling

Authorities seize 14.8 kg of gold; actress under investigation for potential links to smuggling syndicate

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was apprehended by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately ₹12.5 crore. The 33-year-old actress, known for her roles in films like “Maanikya” and “Pataki,” had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight when officials intercepted her.

Ranya Rao had been under DRI surveillance due to her frequent international travels, reportedly making four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days, which raised suspicions among authorities. Upon her arrival, officials discovered that she had concealed gold bars in a belt strapped to her body and was wearing additional gold ornaments.

Investigations revealed that Rao allegedly attempted to leverage her connections to bypass customs checks. She reportedly identified herself as the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police and contacted local police personnel to escort her home, a tactic she had allegedly employed during previous trips.

Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Director-General of Police at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. Authorities are investigating whether any law enforcement personnel were complicit in her activities or if their assistance was misused without their knowledge.

Following her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning. On Tuesday, she was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody. Officials are continuing their investigation to determine if this incident is part of a larger smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.

Ranya Rao made her acting debut in 2014 with the Kannada film “Maanikya,” starring opposite Sudeep. She has since appeared in other South Indian films, including the Tamil movie “Wagah” and the Kannada film “Pataki.”