Kannada actor arrested for smuggling ₹12 crore gold at Bengaluru airport

Photo: Facebook/@RanyaRao

Bengaluru: Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold worth more than ₹12 crore from Dubai, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), acting on a tip-off, took Rao into custody as soon as she landed in Bengaluru on an Emirates flight from Dubai. After her arrest on Monday night, she was presented in an economic offenses court, where the judge sent her to 14 days of judicial custody.

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Repeated Dubai Trips Raised Suspicion

According to DRI officials, Rao had been under surveillance because she had flown to Dubai four times within just 15 days. This unusual travel pattern made authorities suspect that she might be involved in illegal activities. Based on these suspicions, officers carefully monitored her movements and launched a targeted operation when she arrived in Bengaluru, leading to her arrest.

Gold Hidden in Clothes and Jacket

Investigators revealed that Rao had hidden gold bars inside her clothing and was also wearing a large amount of gold to avoid detection. Reports say a significant portion of the smuggled gold was concealed inside her jacket. Officials believe she may have used her connections to try and evade customs checks.

Claimed to Be the Daughter of IPS Officer

According to reports, after landing, Rao allegedly introduced herself as the daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who is the Director General of Police in Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. She also reportedly contacted local police officers and tried to arrange an escort from the airport to avoid getting caught.

Possible Syndicate Involvement Under Investigation

Authorities are now investigating whether Rao was working alone or was part of a larger gold smuggling network operating between Dubai and India. Officials are also looking into whether any law enforcement officers, including her IPS father, had prior knowledge of her activities or if she misled them into helping her.

After her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru's HBR Layout for further questioning.

Film Career and Background

Ranya Rao is best known for acting alongside Kannada superstar Sudeep in the movie Maanikya (2014). She has also appeared in several other South Indian films.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to uncover more details in the coming days.