Kannada Actor Ranya Rao, Daughter Of Karnataka DGP K Ramchandra Rao Nabbed At Bengaluru Airport While Smuggling Gold
Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested for Alleged Gold Smuggling at Bengaluru Airport
BENGALURU: In a shocking turn of events, popular Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on charges of smuggling a significant quantity of gold. Ranya, who is the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao, was taken into custody after officials discovered a large consignment of gold bars and ornaments cleverly concealed on her person.
According to reports, Ranya had arrived from Dubai when she was intercepted by the DRI team at the airport. Upon conducting a thorough search, authorities found 14 kilograms of gold bars ingeniously hidden in a belt strapped to her body, along with an additional 800 grams of gold ornaments in her luggage. Following her arrest, she was produced before a magistrate on Tuesday and has since been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Suspected Links to Smuggling Syndicate
Officials suspect that Ranya Rao may not have acted alone and could be linked to a larger gold smuggling syndicate that has been operating through Bengaluru airport in recent months. Her frequent international travel patterns and the sheer quantity of gold she was found carrying have raised serious concerns that she may have been smuggling gold on multiple occasions in the past.
Sources within the DRI revealed that Ranya had been under surveillance for some time due to her frequent trips to Gulf countries. Investigators noted that the actress had made over 10 international trips this year alone, many of which involved short stays of just a few days before returning to India.
“Our officers became suspicious after noticing that she was making multiple brief visits to Dubai and other Gulf destinations in a short period. Based on this pattern, we decided to monitor her closely. She did not exhibit any signs of nervousness upon arrival, but a thorough search led to the shocking discovery of the concealed gold bars,” an official stationed at KIA stated.
Review of CCTV Footage & Investigation into Past Offenses
In light of this arrest, authorities have now launched a full-scale investigation into Ranya’s past travel history and possible smuggling activities. Investigators are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from Bengaluru airport from her previous arrivals to determine if she had successfully smuggled gold on earlier occasions without detection.
“We have strong reasons to believe that this was not the first time. In her last four trips over the past 15 days, she was observed wearing similar outfits with a belt that was deliberately concealed from view. This indicates a well-planned modus operandi,” said a source familiar with the case.
Alleged Misuse of Bureaucratic Privileges to Evade Checks
What has particularly alarmed investigators is the suspicion that Ranya Rao managed to bypass routine security checks at the airport by taking advantage of official protocol privileges extended to senior government officials, including IPS officers.
As the daughter of a high-ranking police official, Ranya reportedly received special protocol services at the airport, which meant that a designated officer escorted her out of the terminal, allowing her to skip thorough frisking and luggage inspections. Additionally, she was often picked up in a government-registered vehicle, further reducing the chances of her being subjected to scrutiny by customs or security personnel.
“She had been using the privileges given to senior bureaucrats to avoid checks. A protocol officer would receive her at the airport and ensure that she was quickly escorted outside without undergoing physical screening. This method allowed her to smuggle gold without being detected on previous occasions,” an official revealed.
Father Distances Himself from Daughter’s Actions
The arrest of Ranya Rao has put her father, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, in an uncomfortable position. The senior police official, known for his extensive service in law enforcement, has distanced himself from his daughter’s actions, stating that he had no prior knowledge of her activities.
Speaking to the media, Rao expressed shock and disappointment, saying:
“My daughter got married to Jatin Hukkeri, an architect who specializes in designing pubs and microbreweries, just four months ago. Since her marriage, she has not been in regular touch with us, and we have no information about her business dealings or her husband’s work. This news has come as a huge shock and an immense disappointment to our family. She has let us down. If she has committed any illegal act, the law will take its due course, and we will not interfere in the process.”
Past Controversies & Family’s Previous Scrutiny
Interestingly, this is not the first time the Rao family has been caught in a controversy. Back in 2014, when Ramachandra Rao was serving as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Southern Range, a serious allegation was made against the Mysuru police under his jurisdiction.
The case involved a Kerala-based jeweler who accused the Mysuru police of seizing ₹2 crore in cash but officially recording only ₹20 lakh. The incident led to a criminal investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID), resulting in the arrest of Rao’s personal gunman on charges of dacoity.
While Ramachandra Rao himself was not directly implicated, the controversy raised questions about the handling of law enforcement operations under his leadership at the time. Now, with his daughter’s arrest in a major gold smuggling case, the family finds itself once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Further Investigation Underway
With Ranya Rao now in judicial custody, the DRI is continuing its investigation into the extent of her involvement in the smuggling syndicate. Authorities are also looking into the financial aspects of the case, examining whether she had any associates who helped facilitate the operation and whether her frequent travels were financed by external sources.
Investigators are also probing whether she smuggled gold for personal financial gains or if she was merely a courier working for a larger international network. Given the complexity of the case, the investigation is expected to uncover more details in the coming weeks.
This high-profile arrest has sent shockwaves across the Kannada film industry and law enforcement circles, with many awaiting further revelations about the actress’s alleged involvement in organized smuggling operations.
