BENGALURU: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, daughter of Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night for allegedly smuggling gold.
SEE ALSO: ‘She let us down’: Karnataka DGP distances himself from daughter Ranya Rao arrested for smuggling gold
Ranya, who arrived from Dubai, was caught with 14kg of gold bars hidden in a belt strapped to her body, along with 800 grams of gold ornaments. She was produced before a magistrate on Tuesday and remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Officials suspect she is part of a smuggling syndicate operating through Bengaluru airport in recent months.
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The 32-year-old actress has acted in a handful of Kannada and Tamil films, including Maanikya (starring Sudeep), Pataki (with Ganesh), and Wagah (featuring Vikram Prabhu).
SEE ALSO: ‘GoldHidden’ idea: In last 4 Gulf trips, Kannada actor Ranya Rao wore similar attire, kept belt concealed
Frequent Gulf trips raised red flags
According to sources, Ranya had been under DRI surveillance due to her frequent international travel, having reportedly made over 10 trips this year. “Officials became suspicious after noticing her multiple short-duration visits to the Gulf,” said an officer stationed at KIA.
SEE ALSO: Who is Ranya Rao? Kannada actor walked through Bengaluru airport with 14 gold bars unchecked
Based on this pattern, a DRI team was dispatched to intercept her on Monday. “She looked extremely confident as she disembarked, showing no signs of nervousness. But when searched, officers were shocked to find gold bars cleverly concealed in a belt,” a source said.
The agency is now reviewing CCTV footage of her previous arrivals to ascertain whether she had smuggled gold on earlier occasions. “In her last four trips over the past 15 days, she wore similar attire, with the belt hidden from view,” the source added.
Protocol loophole used to evade checks
Investigators believe Ranya managed to bypass frisking by taking advantage of official protocol services meant for senior bureaucrats, including IPS officers. “A protocol officer would meet her at the terminal and escort her out, ensuring she wasn’t subjected to physical screening. She would be picked up in a government vehicle, avoiding scrutiny,” a source revealed.
DGP distances himself from daughter
When contacted, DGP K Ramachandra Rao distanced himself from his daughter’s activities. “Ranya married Jatin Hukkeri, an architect specializing in designing pubs and microbreweries, four months ago. She has not visited us since her wedding. We have no knowledge of her or her husband’s business. This news has come as a huge shock and disappointment. She has let us down. If there’s any wrongdoing, the law will take its course,” Rao told TOI.
Past controversies
In 2014, when Rao was IGP (Southern Range), Mysuru police faced allegations of misappropriation after a Kerala jeweler accused them of seizing ?2 crore in cash but officially recording only Rs 20 lakh. The case was later investigated by the CID, leading to the arrest of Rao’s gunman on charges of dacoity.
