Bengaluru, March 5 – Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport on charges of gold smuggling. According to agency reports, Ranya was caught with 14 kilograms of gold bars concealed in a belt strapped to her body upon arrival from Dubai. Additionally, she was found carrying 800 grams of gold jewelry.
As per agency report, the actress was presented before a court on Tuesday, which remanded her to 14-day judicial custody. Investigators suspect that she is part of a larger gold smuggling network operating through Bengaluru airport. Authorities had been tracking Ranya due to her frequent international travels. Reports indicate that she had taken over ten trips abroad since the beginning of the year, raising suspicion among officials.
Ranya Rao, 32, is the daughter of IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the Director General of Karnataka Police Housing Corporation. She has worked in Kannada films such as Manikya and Pataki and also appeared in the Tamil film Wagah alongside Vikram Prabhu.
DRI officials revealed that their suspicions grew after noticing her repeated short-interval visits to Gulf countries. On Monday, when she arrived in Bengaluru via an Emirates flight, the agency had already planned to intercept her. Investigations found that she had traveled abroad four times in the last 15 days, always wearing a similar outfit with the hidden gold belt.
Authorities suspect that Ranya exploited special airport protocols meant for senior officials to bypass thorough security checks. Sources claim that a protocol officer received her at the airport and facilitated her smooth exit without physical frisking. Her baggage underwent standard checks, but she was not subjected to additional screening. Even a government vehicle was reportedly arranged to transport her from the airport to her residence, ensuring an uninterrupted exit.
Meanwhile, her father, senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the case. In a statement, he mentioned that Ranya had married Jatin Hukeri four months ago and had since severed contact with her family. He expressed shock and disappointment over the allegations, stating that if she had broken the law, she should face the consequences.
