Ranya Rao: Kannada Actor Who Was Arrested With Over 14 Kg Gold
Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday evening while allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over Rs 12 crore from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her following a tip-off and later produced her before the Special Court for Economic Offences, which remanded her in custody for 14 days.
Arrest at the Airport
According to sources, Ranya Rao attempted to bypass security checks with the help of a police constable from the International Airport Police Station, who was allegedly escorting her out. However, DRI officials, acting on intelligence, stopped her and reportedly caught her red-handed. The concealed gold bars were recovered from her jacket and other clothing.
The DRI also detained the constable accompanying her, recorded his statement, and later released him. Investigators are now probing how she was repeatedly allowed to pass through security unchecked.
Connections and Background
Ranya Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of K. Ramachandra Rao, a senior Indian Police Service officer serving as the Director-General of Police, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. This connection has raised concerns about whether her status was used to evade scrutiny in previous trips.
Originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Ranya Rao made her film debut in 2014 with Manikya, starring opposite Sudeep. She later appeared in the Tamil film Wagah (2016) and the Kannada film Pataki (2017). Despite a brief film career, she remained in the public eye due to her social media presence and frequent travels.
Suspicious Travel Patterns
Authorities have been monitoring Ranya Rao’s movements after noticing her frequent trips to Dubai, often accompanied by her husband. She reportedly had no business or family in Dubai, yet regularly travelled there and was often seen exiting the Bengaluru airport without undergoing thorough checks.
Sources suggest that this was not an isolated incident. “She used to get an escort from the International Airport Police Station and leave without being frisked,” a senior security official stated. Dubai is a known hotspot for gold smuggling, and officials believe she may have been part of a larger smuggling network.
Claims of Blackmail
After her detention, Ranya Rao reportedly claimed she was blackmailed into smuggling gold. She stated that she was forced to act as a mule, carrying gold for a larger syndicate. Investigators are now verifying this claim, alongside probing the origins of the gold, the mode of payment, and whether hawala transactions were involved.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) may also step into the investigation, as smuggled gold is typically bought using untraceable cash transactions. Officials are also looking into whether there was a deeper nexus between law enforcement officers and smugglers facilitating such operations.
Ongoing Investigation
On Monday, DRI officials conducted a search at Ranya Rao’s residence in Bengaluru as part of the probe. Further arrests and legal action are expected as authorities unravel the extent of the smuggling network.
