Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in Gold Smuggling Case: Popular Kannada actress Ranya Rao, known for her roles in films like Manikya and Pataki, has been arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case. She was detained by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru on March 3, 2025, after returning from Dubai.
According to reports, Ranya is accused of smuggling 14.8 kg gold from Dubai to India. The authorities had been keeping an eye on her for a long time before finally making the arrest.
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Karnataka Government Breaks Silence
After the arrest, Karnataka CM’s legal advisor AS Ponnanna made a strong statement, saying:
“Law will take its own course, whether she is DGP’s daughter, CM’s daughter, or even PM’s daughter. If any official nexus is involved, the investigation will reveal it.”
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of Karnataka DGP Dr. K Ramachandra Rao, which has made the case even more controversial.
Arrest and Investigation
DRI officials acted on a tip-off about Ranya’s alleged involvement in gold smuggling. She was taken into custody right after her Emirates flight landed at the Bengaluru airport.
After the arrest, Ranya was presented before a special court for financial crimes on March 4, 2025, where she was sent to judicial custody till March 18. Before being taken into custody, she underwent a medical checkup at Boring Hospital, Bengaluru.
During questioning, Ranya claimed that her Dubai trip was for business purposes, not smuggling. However, the investigation is still ongoing.
What’s Next?
Currently, Ranya Rao remains in judicial custody, while DRI continues to probe the case. The high-profile arrest has sparked widespread discussions in Karnataka’s political and film circles.