Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested for attempting to smuggle gold at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), has admitted to officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) that she learned gold smuggling techniques through YouTube videos. She was caught on March 3 while attempting to bring 14.8 kg of gold, valued at approximately ₹12.56 crore, into India from Dubai.
Ranya Rao , the stepdaughter of Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao, revealed that this was her first attempt at gold smuggling. However, her statements have been inconsistent. Initially, she claimed she had never purchased or transported gold from Dubai before but later contradicted this by admitting to following detailed instructions received via anonymous phone calls.
According to reports, Ranya rao disclosed that she had been receiving calls from unknown international numbers for two weeks before the smuggling attempt. On March 1, she received a call from a foreign phone number instructing her to proceed to Gate A at Terminal 3 of Dubai Airport. She was then directed to collect the gold and deliver it in Bengaluru. She claimed she did not know the identity of the person who contacted her, only stating that the caller had an African-American accent and was approximately six feet tall with fair skin.
During her time at Dubai Airport, Ranya Rao purchased crepe bandages and scissors to aid in concealing the gold bars. She reportedly fastened the gold to her body inside a restroom before boarding the flight. Upon arrival in Bengaluru, DRI officials intercepted her and found the gold biscuits hidden in her jeans and shoes.
Following her arrest, Ranya Rao was presented before a special financial offences court on March 4, where she was remanded to judicial custody until March 18. Initially, she was held in DRI custody until March 10 for further investigation. The Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru allowed her to meet with her lawyer for 30 minutes daily during this period. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar, presiding over the court, also instructed the authorities to ensure she was provided with basic necessities, including food and bedding, while warning against any harsh treatment.
Investigators are now probing the deeper connections behind the smuggling operation, particularly the identities of those who contacted Ranya Rao . Officials suspect that her Dubai trip may have been specifically arranged for smuggling activities rather than legitimate business purposes. As the case unfolds, authorities are working to uncover potential accomplices and further details of the smuggling network.
