Bengaluru customs officials apprehended a visually impaired man at Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold worth Rs 3.44 crore from Dubai. The arrest was made on March 4, a day after Kannada actress Ranya Rao was detained for smuggling gold at the same airport.
Acting on a tip-off, officials intercepted the passenger upon his arrival from Dubai. A search revealed 3,995.22 grams of gold hidden under his shirt, following which a smuggling case was registered. The Bengaluru Customs department confirmed the seizure in a post on X.
This incident comes just after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 17 gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore. She had concealed the contraband on her body. Authorities revealed that Rao had traveled to Dubai 27 times in six months and was allegedly paid Rs 4-5 lakh per kilogram of smuggled gold.
Following her arrest, Kempegowda International Airport has tightened security protocols, particularly for VIPs and individuals with influential backgrounds. Reports suggest Rao used her stepfather’s position as a DGP to gain VIP access, allowing her to bypass routine security checks.
In response, the Karnataka government has revised its protocol privilege policy, now restricting special treatment to senior bureaucrats only and discontinuing such privileges for their family members or acquaintances, according to The Times of India.