5 March, 2025; Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 4, 2025, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold valued at approximately ₹12 crore from Dubai.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) acted on a tip-off and had placed Rao under surveillance due to her frequent international trips, noting that she had traveled to Dubai four times within 15 days, raising suspicions of illicit activities.
Upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight, DRI officials intercepted Rao and discovered that she had concealed gold bars in her clothing, with a significant portion hidden inside her jacket.
Reports indicate that upon landing, Rao identified herself as the daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the Director General of Police in Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
Following her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning.
Subsequent raids at her Bengaluru residence on Lavelle Road, where she resides with her husband, led to the seizure of ₹2.67 crore in cash and ₹2.06 crore worth of gold jewelry.
In total, assets worth approximately ₹17.29 crore have been seized in connection with this case, marking one of the largest gold smuggling busts at Bengaluru International Airport in recent years.
Authorities are now investigating whether Rao acted alone or was part of a larger gold smuggling syndicate operating between Dubai and India.
Ranya Rao, originally from Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, made her film debut in 2014 with the Kannada movie “Maanikya,” starring alongside Kiccha Sudeep.
She has also appeared in other South Indian films, including “Wagah” and “Pataki.”
However, her film career has not seen significant success, with her last appearance in a film in 2017.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing possible links to a broader smuggling network and any potential involvement of law enforcement officers.
