Actress Ranya Rao Arrested at Bengaluru Airport with Gold –Here’s What We Know

Ranya Rao, widely recognised for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in Maanikya (2014), has also featured in several other South Indian films. The 33-year-old actress is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, who currently holds the position of Director-General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night after she was found in possession of 14.8 kilograms of gold. According to officials cited in a PTI news agency report, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out the arrest. Ranya Rao was brought before an economic offenses court, which ordered her to 14 days of judicial custody.

As per officials cited in the PTI report, Ranya Rao landed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on an Emirates flight from Dubai. She was already under surveillance due to her frequent international trips. Authorities became suspicious after discovering that Ranya Rao had made four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days, leading them to conduct a targeted operation upon her return.  

Initial findings suggest that Rao may have attempted to leverage her connections to evade customs inspections. According to a PTI report, she allegedly identified herself as the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police upon arrival and even sought police assistance to escort her home.  Investigators further disclosed that she had reportedly smuggled the gold by disguising a significant portion as jewelry and concealing gold bars within her clothing.

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