On March 3, in the vicinity of Bengaluru International Airport, a Kannada film actress, Ranya Rao was arrested and suspected of gold smuggling of around Rs 12.86 crore, authorities claim. It is said she strapped onto her thighs with tape and bandage around 14 gold bars to evade detection.
Based on prior intelligence, she was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Being 33 years of age, Rao is the stepchild of a senior IPS officer in Karnataka. However, he has distanced himself from Ranya, stating that they have not been in contact since she was married four months ago. Rao, who came from Dubai on an Emirates flight, reportedly entered through VIP channels, avoiding regular security.
The DRI raised suspicions about her 27 frequent trips to Dubai and Malaysia within six months and kept a tab on her movements. She was traveling with her architect spouse when she got arrested. When DRI officers raided Ranya Rao’s home after she was arrested, they found jewelry valued at ₹2.06 crore and cash worth ₹2.67 crore. She has had assets seized totaling an estimated ₹17.29 crore. Remanded to judicial custody under the Customs Act, 1962 until March 18, Ranya is likely to move for bail on March 7.
Three days of custody for the continuation of the investigation have been requested by the DRI, citing the need to investigate her excessive explorations abroad. Ranya Rao speaks against it, arguing that all the needed evidence, including electronic gadgets, has already been seized. She has appeared in three Kannada films since she began acting in 2014.
Meanwhile, the past incidents concerning her stepfather and stepbrother are getting involved in the inquiry; in the end, no legal action was taken against them. The investigation continues as the needle leads to an expansive smuggling network.
Edited By Saumya Saran
