Kannada film actress Ranya Rao was intercepted at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold worth over 125.6 million rupees from Dubai. During a subsequent raid at her residence, 20 million rupees in cash was discovered. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a search at her Lavelle Road home, where she resides with her husband.
During the search, jewelry worth 20.6 million rupees and 26.7 million rupees in cash were seized. She was arrested under the Customs Act of 1962 and has been placed in judicial custody.
Ranya Rao is known for her role with Kannada superstar Sudeep in the film 'Maanikya' (2014) and has appeared in several other South Indian films.
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of IPS officer Ramchandra Rao, who currently holds the position of Director General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. Acting on a tip-off, the DRI arrested the actress at the airport upon her arrival from a Dubai Emirates flight.
Following her arrest on Monday night, Rao was presented before an economic offenses court, which remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody. According to DRI officials, the 33-year-old actress was under surveillance due to her frequent international travel. Officials discovered that she visited Dubai four times within 15 days, raising suspicions of illicit activities. A targeted operation led to her arrest upon her return to India.
According to DRI, Ranya Rao would claim to be the DGP's daughter upon reaching the airport and would call local policemen for a home drop. The DRI is now investigating whether these police personnel were knowingly or unknowingly involved in the smuggling network.
