Kannada actor Ranya Rao has been arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case after authorities intercepted her at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Ranya Rao was caught attempting to bring in 14 kilograms of gold from Dubai, concealed on her person, without a valid purchase receipt or declaration to customs officials.
The incident took place on March 4 when Ranya Rao arrived at Terminal 2 on an Emirates flight from Dubai. She attempted to pass through the green channel, meant for passengers with no dutiable goods to declare. However, acting on a specific intelligence tip-off, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) stopped her for questioning. When asked if she was carrying gold or any other contraband, she denied having any such items.
A metal detector scan revealed the presence of metal on her body, leading to further inspection. While her hand baggage and trolley did not contain any suspicious items, a personal examination uncovered the hidden gold. She had fastened gold bars to her waist and calf muscles using crepe bandages and tissues, while additional gold bars and cut pieces were concealed in her shoes and pockets. The total weight of the recovered gold was 14.2 kilograms, significantly exceeding the legally permitted limit under the Customs Act, 1962.
Following her arrest, investigators conducted a search of her residence on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru. This led to the discovery of Rs 2.67 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore. Ranya Rao was unable to provide a credible explanation for the source of the money or the invoices for the jewellery, raising further suspicion.
Documents recovered from Dubai Customs revealed that Ranya Rao had previously declared gold purchases in November and December 2023, stating her intent to transport them to Geneva. However, her travel history indicated she instead landed in India, suggesting a deliberate attempt to evade customs duty. Officials estimated her duty evasion at Rs 4.83 crore, far exceeding the permissible Rs 50 lakh limit.
Authorities suspect that Ranya Rao is part of a larger gold smuggling network and arrested her to prevent further offences. The DRI’s arrest memo also noted that she had not fully cooperated with the investigation and had withheld key information. Additionally, it clarified that she had pre-existing injury marks under her eyes, contradicting reports alleging custodial torture.
In response to the case, the Karnataka government has ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into possible lapses by the police and potential collusion in the smuggling operation. A separate inquiry has also been launched into the role of Ranya Rao’s stepfather, senior IPS officer DGP Ramachandra Rao. As investigations continue, the case is expected to have significant legal and political ramifications.
