Kannada actor Ranya Rao has retracted her earlier admission of guilt in the gold smuggling case, asserting her innocence in a letter to the Additional Director General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
As per a report by India Today, Ranya alleged that she was coerced into signing statements under duress after being arrested on March 3 at Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling over 14 kg of gold from Dubai.
Allegations of physical assault
Ranya claimed that DRI officials physically assaulted her multiple times and forced her to sign 50 to 60 typed pages along with 40 blank sheets. “From the moment of my apprehension until I was presented in court, I was physically assaulted, slapped 10-15 times by officers whom I can identify. Despite repeated assaults, I refused to sign the statements they prepared,” she said. She maintained that the signatures were obtained under intense pressure. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Court denies bail
The DRI, opposing her bail plea, argued that Ranya had travelled to Dubai 27 times since January 2025 and was involved in an organised gold smuggling operation that used state police protocol officers to bypass security. The court cited her extensive travel history, the involvement of a sophisticated smuggling network, and the risk of tampering with evidence as reasons for denying bail.
Ongoing investigation
The investigation also revealed allegations of using Hawala channels for fund transfers and the concealment of gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are also investigating the case. Additionally, the Karnataka government initially ordered an inquiry into the potential involvement of her stepfather, senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, but withdrew the order shortly after.
Who is Ranya Rao?
Originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Ranya studied engineering before entering the film industry. She made her acting debut in 2014 with the Kannada film Maanikya. Her current legal troubles have cast a shadow over her career.