Actor Ranya Rao was intercepted at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport while allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended the 33-year-old, who was just moments away from clearing airport security when officials, acting on specific intelligence, stopped her for inspection. The seized gold bars were reportedly concealed ingeniously on her person.
Ranya, known for her debut in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight on Monday. Alongside her, two individuals were carrying briefcases suspected of containing the smuggled gold. The group had nearly exited the airport before DRI officers intervened. The arrest was made under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and she was remanded to judicial custody.
Following her detention, DRI officials extended their search to her residence on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search led to the discovery of additional gold jewelry valued at Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. The cumulative seizure in the case now stands at Rs 17.29 crore, marking one of the most significant gold smuggling crackdowns at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
Authorities revealed that Ranya had been making frequent short trips to Gulf countries, which raised suspicion and ultimately placed her on the DRI’s radar. Investigators believe that these visits may have been linked to an organized gold smuggling operation.
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer. Reports indicate that the officer’s first wife had passed away, and he later married a woman with two daughters from her previous marriage, one of whom is Ranya. While her connection to a high-ranking officer has sparked discussions, officials have not indicated any direct involvement of her family in the smuggling case.
The DRI’s seizure has dealt a significant blow to gold smuggling syndicates operating in India. The agency continues its investigation to uncover the broader network behind the illicit operation. As the legal proceedings unfold, authorities are expected to probe further into Ranya Rao’s financial transactions and travel history to determine the extent of her involvement in gold smuggling activities.
