Bengaluru: Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold, valued at over Rs 12 crore, from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended Rao on Monday night after receiving a tip-off.
Rao, who arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai, was immediately taken into custody and later remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by a court handling economic offences. Authorities had been monitoring her due to her frequent overseas trips, with investigators noting she had visited Dubai four times in just 15 days, raising suspicions of smuggling.
Officials revealed that Rao allegedly hid gold bars in her clothing, including concealing a significant portion in her jacket. Investigators suspect that she may have used her connections to bypass customs inspections.
Upon landing, Rao reportedly identified herself as the daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who heads the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, and allegedly sought police assistance for an escort from the airport. Authorities are now investigating whether any law enforcement officials, including her father, were aware of or inadvertently assisted in her actions.
The DRI is also looking into whether Rao was acting alone or was part of a larger gold smuggling network between Dubai and India. Rao, known for her role in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya alongside actor Sudeep, has appeared in several South Indian films.
