Actor Ranya Rao Arrested in Major Gold Smuggling Case

Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling 14 kg of gold worth ₹14.56 crore at Bengaluru airport. She made 27 trips to Dubai in a year, reportedly earning hefty commissions for her smuggling activities. The DRI also recovered substantial gold jewelry and cash during a search of her home. Her stepfather expressed shock and stated he was unaware of her dealings.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested after authorities seized 14 kilograms of gold bars valued at ₹14.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Investigations by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) revealed that she undertook 27 trips to Dubai in just one year, raising suspicions about her activities. This gold seizure is considered among the largest at this airport recently.

The DRI apprehended Ms. Rao, who is the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, on Monday night. They had been monitoring her travel patterns due to her frequent Dubai visits. During her bail petition hearing, the Customs department sought four-day custody of the 33-year-old actor, while her lawyer argued that she had already been in judicial custody due to having no further questions from the DRI.

Reports indicate that Ms. Rao was involved in gold smuggling, receiving hefty commissions between ₹4 lakh and ₹5 lakh for each kilogram transported from Dubai to Bengaluru. Following the gold seizure, DRI officials searched her residence, uncovering gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency totaling ₹2.67 crore.

Ranya Rao’s stepfather expressed his shock and disappointment, stating he was uninformed of her alleged illegal activities. He reiterated that he is not involved in her business dealings and believes the law will address the situation appropriately. He confirmed that Rao lives separately with her husband and suggested there may be personal issues at play.

Upon her latest return from Dubai on an Emirates flight, authorities conducted an operation after noticing she had traveled to Dubai four times within 15 days. Investigators reported she may have concealed gold bars within her clothing and used connections to evade security checks at the airport. A special court for financial offenses has remanded her to custody until March 18, while authorities continue to explore the extent of her involvement in broader smuggling networks between Dubai and India. Ranya Rao has appeared in several South Indian films, notably opposite Sudeep in “Maanikya” in 2014.

Ranya Rao’s arrest highlights a significant gold smuggling operation linked to her extensive travel between Dubai and Bengaluru. The DRI’s investigation unveiled her role in receiving substantial commissions for smuggling gold. Further developments will focus on her connections and whether she acted alone or as part of a larger network. Her stepfather’s comments underline a detachment from Rao’s alleged illegal activities, emphasizing the role of legal processes moving forward.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com