Actor Ranya Rao has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling gold worth Rs 12.56 crore at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. The 33-year-old, who began her acting career with the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, was intercepted by DRI officers on Monday after arriving from Dubai on an Emirates flight.
According to officials, two individuals accompanying her were carrying the smuggled gold in briefcases. The group had nearly cleared security and was about to exit when the DRI team, acting on specific intelligence, stopped them and conducted a search.
“Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at Rs 12.56 crore, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962,” a DRI statement said.
Following the interception, authorities conducted a search at Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. “The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore,” the DRI said in its statement.
“The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody. The total seizure in the case stands at Rs 17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks,” the agency added.
Officials noted that the seizure of 14.2 kg of gold is one of the largest at Bengaluru airport in recent times. According to reports, Rao had been making frequent short trips to Gulf countries, which led to her being placed under surveillance by the DRI.
Notably. Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
The officer’s first wife had passed away, and he later married a woman who had two daughters from her previous marriage, one of whom is Rao.
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