Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over ₹12 crore from Dubai. The arrest took place at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), where she was caught trying to evade customs checks.
Caught at Immigration
Ranya Rao was detained upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight at Terminal 2. Authorities found that she had concealed gold on her body and inside her clothing. Customs officials had been monitoring her closely due to her frequent trips to Dubai—making multiple visits in just 15 days.
Investigators suspect she may have used her father’s position to avoid security checks in the past. Reports suggest that she often requested police escorts at the airport, claiming to be the daughter of a DGP, which may have allowed her to bypass scrutiny.
Legal Action and Investigation
Following her arrest, Ranya Rao was taken to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning. A case has been registered against her under various sections of the Customs Act, and she has been remanded to custody after being presented in the 42nd Additional Sessions Court in Bengaluru.
Authorities are now investigating whether she was acting alone or was part of a larger gold smuggling network operating between Dubai and India. There is also speculation about whether her father or any law enforcement officers were aware of or involved in her activities.
Who is Ranya Rao?
Ranya Rao, originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, studied engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before entering the film industry.
- She made her Kannada film debut in 2014 with Maanikya, directed by and starring Sudeep.
- She entered the Tamil film industry in 2016 with Wagah, where she starred opposite Vikram Prabhu.
- In 2017, she played a lead role in the Kannada comedy film Pataki, alongside actor Ganesh.
Gold Smuggling Network Under Scanner
This arrest has raised questions about the involvement of influential figures in gold smuggling operations. Officials believe a well-organized network could be facilitating such activities, using high-profile connections to bypass security.
The Customs Department has not yet released an official statement on the case. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of Ranya Rao’s involvement and whether she had any accomplices.
