Bengaluru: In a shocking turn of events, Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, daughter of Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation), was arrested by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night. The 32-year-old actress was apprehended on charges of gold smuggling, exposing what investigators believe could be a significant smuggling racket operating through Bengaluru airport.
DRI officials intercepted Ranya as she disembarked from an Emirates flight from Dubai. To their disbelief, she was found wearing a custom belt strapped with 14 kg of gold bars, along with an additional 800 grams of gold ornaments. She was produced before a magistrate on Tuesday evening and has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Investigators are now delving into her potential involvement with an organized smuggling network.
According to sources, Ranya’s frequent international travels had raised red flags. “She had made over 10 trips since the beginning of the year, primarily to the Gulf. Her short stays and the pattern of her travels prompted surveillance,” an officer stationed at KIA revealed. During her four previous arrivals within 15 days, the actress had been dressed similarly.
Sources suggest that Ranya may have evaded scrutiny by leveraging bureaucratic privileges. “She was reportedly met by a protocol officer at the terminal and escorted out without the usual security checks. Her baggage went through random screening, but she herself was never frisked, thanks to the official protocol services extended to senior bureaucrats and IPS officers. Shockingly, a government vehicle would even collect her, ensuring a smooth exit from the airport,” a source disclosed.
Reacting to his daughter’s arrest, Ramachandra Rao expressed deep disappointment. “Four months ago, Ranya married architect Jatin Hukkeri. Since then, she has not been in touch with us. We are completely unaware of her and her husband’s business dealings. This has come as a huge shock. She has let us down, but the law must take its course,” he told sections of the media, firmly distancing himself from her alleged activities.
The DRI team is now scrutinizing footage from Ranya’s previous visits to the city to assess whether she might have smuggled gold on other occasions. They are also investigating if she had accomplices within the airport, potentially implicating protocol officers or others who might have facilitated her unobstructed exits.
Authorities believe Ranya may just be the tip of the iceberg. Her arrest could lead to revelations about a larger smuggling syndicate with deep roots in Bengaluru and potentially beyond. As the investigation progresses, the glamour surrounding the actress has faded, leaving behind a story of deception, betrayal, and a dramatic fall from grace.
