DRI seizes 14 kg gold worth ₹14.56 crore at Bengaluru airport; probe reveals high commissions for smuggling.
March 7, 2025: Bengaluru: Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport after authorities seized 14 kg of gold bars worth ₹14.56 crore from her possession. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which had been tracking her due to frequent trips to Dubai, confirmed that she had visited the city 27 times in a year.
This is one of the largest gold seizures at Bengaluru airport in recent times, officials stated.
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Frequent Dubai Visits Raise Suspicion
Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was taken into custody by DRI officers on Monday night. Authorities had been monitoring her movements due to her unusually frequent international travel.
On Monday, she arrived in Bengaluru from Dubai via an Emirates flight. Noticing that she had traveled four times in 15 days, officials launched a targeted operation and intercepted her at the airport.
Customs Seeks Custody, Court Reserves Order
Following her arrest, Customs sought four-day custody of the 33-year-old actress. However, her lawyer objected, stating that the DRI had already remanded her to judicial custody (March 4-18) and had no further questions.
The court has reserved its decision on the custody request, with an order expected tomorrow.
High Commissions for Smuggling Gold
Investigations suggest that Rao was actively involved in a gold smuggling network, receiving ₹4-5 lakh in commission per kilogram of gold transported from Dubai to Bengaluru.
Authorities also conducted searches at her residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. They recovered:
- Gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore
- Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore
“Shocked and Devastated,” Says IPS Step-Father
Her stepfather, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, distanced himself from the case, stating that he was unaware of her business dealings.
“Like any other father, I was shocked and devastated when I heard the news through the media. I was not aware of any of these activities,” he said.
Clarifying that she does not live with him, Mr. Rao added: “She is staying separately with her husband. There must be some family issues involved.”
Mr. Rao is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
How the Smuggling Was Executed
According to investigators, Rao wore a portion of the gold and concealed the rest in her clothing to evade detection. She allegedly used her connections to bypass security checks at the airport.
Authorities are now investigating whether she acted alone or was part of a larger smuggling ring operating between Dubai and India.
Past Work in Kannada Cinema
Ranya Rao has appeared in multiple South Indian films and is best known for starring opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in the 2014 movie Maanikya.
With the investigation ongoing, authorities are now looking into potential links to an international smuggling syndicate.