Karnataka Government Asserts Law Is Equal for All In Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case

March 5, 2025: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, known for her roles in films like Maanikya and Pataki, has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Bengaluru on March 3, 2025, for her alleged involvement in smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai into India. The arrest took place at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) after Ranya arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai.

The case has drawn significant attention, partly due to Ranya’s connection to Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. K Ramachandra Rao, as she is his stepdaughter. In response to the arrest, Congress MLA and Legal Advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, made a statement asserting that the law would treat Ranya no differently than anyone else. He emphasized, “She is an accused for indulging in smuggling. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP’s, the CM’s or the Prime Minister’s daughter. If there is any official nexus involved in this, it will come out in the investigation.”

DRI officials had been tipped off about Ranya’s alleged involvement in gold smuggling and were stationed at the airport ahead of her arrival. Upon landing, she was arrested and taken into custody by the authorities. Following her arrest, Ranya was produced before a special court judge for financial offences on March 4, 2025, and was remanded into judicial custody until March 18, 2025.

During questioning, Ranya claimed that her visit to Dubai was for business purposes, but DRI officials allege that she was carrying gold to be smuggled into India. The 14.8 kilograms of gold found in her possession has raised concerns over the scale of the smuggling operation.

Ranya underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru before being transferred to judicial custody. The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities looking into the extent of the smuggling and any potential connections to larger networks.

As the investigation continues, the Karnataka government has made it clear that the case will be handled according to the law, without any favoritism or special treatment due to her connections.