In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. She was caught with 14.8 kg of gold upon arrival from Dubai. Officials had been tracking her movements due to her frequent international trips and intercepted her at the airport. According to sources, she attempted to smuggle the gold by wearing most of it as jewelry while hiding gold bars in her clothing. The DRI suspects that her high-profile background—being the daughter of a DGP-rank IPS officer—may have played a role in evading previous checks. Investigators are now looking into whether law enforcement personnel were complicit in the smuggling operation or if they were unknowingly misled into assisting her.
Ranya, known for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in the film Maanikya, had reportedly traveled to Dubai four times in the past 15 days, raising suspicions. The DRI acted on this intelligence and detained her upon arrival. It is alleged that she often used her father’s position to call local police for assistance, possibly as a cover for her activities. Authorities are examining whether any officers helped facilitate her operations, knowingly or otherwise. She was immediately taken to the DRI headquarters for questioning and later presented in court. Following the hearing, she was placed under 14-day judicial custody as investigations continue.
The case has sparked widespread discussions, given Ranya’s celebrity status and influential family background. The DRI has yet to release an official statement, but sources indicate that they are probing possible links to a larger gold smuggling network. With gold smuggling cases on the rise, this incident underscores the increasing sophistication of such operations and the need for stricter monitoring. The arrest of a well-known actress has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the involvement of high-profile individuals in illegal activities.
