Kannada actress Ranya Rao was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday evening at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for smuggling gold. Upon landing from Dubai on an Emirates flight, Rao attempted to bypass security checks with the help of a police constable, Basavaraju. However, the DRI, acting on prior intelligence, apprehended her with 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 12.56 crore concealed inside her jacket.
Ranya Rao claims blackmail
During questioning, Rao claimed she was blackmailed into smuggling gold. Authorities are now scrutinising her frequent trips to Dubai with her husband, Jatin, despite no apparent business or family connections there. Investigators suspect that she often received police escorts to bypass security screenings at the airport. Her husband is also likely to be interrogated as part of the probe.
Constable Basavaraju, who allegedly assisted Rao in evading security, has also been detained, and his statement has been recorded. Following Rao’s arrest on March 4, officials raided her residence at Nandwani Mansion on Lavelle Road. The search led to the seizure of Rs 2.67 crore in cash and gold worth Rs 2.06 crore. Officials removed three large boxes from her house, bringing the total seizure to Rs 17.29 crore.
Ranya Rao has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody under the Customs Act of 1962. She is currently in the quarantine cell at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison as the investigation continues. Authorities are now expanding their inquiry to uncover potential links to a larger smuggling network.