Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after authorities seized 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ₹14.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had been monitoring her movements due to her frequent travels to Dubai 27 times a year before intercepting her on Monday night. The actor allegedly received around Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh in commission to smuggle one kilogram of gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao. The Customs department has sought a four-day custody extension, arguing that further questioning is necessary, while her lawyer opposed this request, stating that the DRI had no additional queries when she was initially detained. The court has reserved its order on custody.
Ranya Rao was allegedly part of a gold smuggling network, earning commissions of ₹4-5 lakh per kilogram of gold smuggled from Dubai to Bengaluru. Following her arrest, DRI officers searched her Lavelle Road residence, which she shares with her husband, and seized gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore along with ₹2.67 crore in cash.
Related
