The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its investigation into a major gold smuggling operation following the arrest of actor Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night. Authorities have deemed the case a ‘threat to national security’ and are now seeking her custody for three days to further probe the origins and networks involved in the smuggling activity.
Ranya Rao, daughter of Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the Director General of Police (DGP) for the Karnataka Police Housing Corporation, was intercepted by DRI officials upon her arrival from Dubai. During the search, officers discovered a substantial quantity of gold—approximately 14.8 kilograms—hidden in her luggage. Further investigations led to a raid at her residence on Lavelle Road, where authorities seized an additional Rs 2.1 crore worth of gold ornaments along with Rs 2.7 crore in cash. Following these discoveries, she was taken into custody and remanded to judicial detention for 14 days.
On Thursday, Ranya Rao’s legal team filed a bail application before the court, arguing that she posed no flight risk and would be fully available to cooperate with the investigation. Her lawyers contended that the DRI officials had produced her before a judge at his residence late on Tuesday night without initially seeking her custody, after which the court had directly remanded her to judicial custody for two weeks. They further emphasized that as a resident of Bengaluru, she had no intention of evading the investigation and, therefore, should be granted bail.
However, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence strongly opposed the bail plea, emphasizing the critical nature of the case and the necessity of her custodial interrogation. In their argument, DRI officials highlighted the need to uncover the source from which Ranya procured the gold bars, the financial channels used for the transaction, and the precise methods she employed to conceal the smuggled gold while traveling. Investigators also seek to determine her intended recipients and whether a larger smuggling network is involved in the operation.
The court is currently reviewing the arguments from both sides before deciding on the bail plea and the DRI’s request for custody. Authorities are continuing their probe into the broader implications of this smuggling racket, as it is believed to involve multiple individuals and possible international connections. The case has generated widespread attention, given the high-profile nature of the accused and the substantial value of the seized assets. Further updates on the investigation are expected in the coming days as legal proceedings unfold.