
Indian actress arrested in Bengaluru for smuggling 14.8 kg gold
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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India's Bengaluru arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport, recovering 14.8 kg of gold from her possession, local media reported on Wednesday.
Ranya, who flew in on an Emirates flight from Dubai on Monday night, had been under the DRI's radar due to her frequent international travels. Authorities revealed she had managed to wear most of the gold discreetly and concealed gold bars within her clothing.
The actress, daughter of a senior DGP-ranked IPS officer in Karnataka, is now facing scrutiny over potential law enforcement connections.
Initial reports suggest that Ranya would claim to be the DGP's daughter upon arrival and would request local police escorts to her home. The DRI is investigating if any officers were involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in her smuggling activities.
Ranya, famous for her role in Maanikya opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep, has appeared in several other South Indian films. The DRI had been tracking her after noticing that she had made four trips to Dubai within just 15 days. Acting on this, the agency intercepted her on arrival.
After her arrest, Ranya was taken to the DRI headquarters for further questioning. She was later produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
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Actress arrested for smuggling gold worth millions at airport
South Indian actress Rania Rao has been arrested for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth $1.47 million) through Bengaluru's international airport, sparking a high-profile investigation. Indian media reported that officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) received a tip-off about Rao's arrival from Dubai. Upon her arrival on 3 March, she was stopped at the airport, where officials found 14 gold bars strapped to her thighs using tape and bandages. Initial reports suggested that the gold was hidden in her jacket, but DRI later confirmed it was directly attached to her body. Rao reportedly confessed to the smuggling operation during questioning. The case took a dramatic turn when it was revealed that the 33-year-old actress is the stepdaughter of a senior police officer holding the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka. This has raised concerns over potential high-level connections within smuggling networks. Authorities are now investigating whether Rao was operating alone or if she was working for a larger smuggling syndicate. Officials are also probing the intended recipients of the smuggled gold. According to reports, Rao had travelled to Dubai 27 times in the past year, prompting DRI to place her under surveillance before making the arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities focusing on uncovering the full extent of the smuggling operation.


Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Indian actress arrested in Bengaluru for smuggling 14.8 kg gold
Listen to article The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India's Bengaluru arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport, recovering 14.8 kg of gold from her possession, local media reported on Wednesday. Ranya, who flew in on an Emirates flight from Dubai on Monday night, had been under the DRI's radar due to her frequent international travels. Authorities revealed she had managed to wear most of the gold discreetly and concealed gold bars within her clothing. The actress, daughter of a senior DGP-ranked IPS officer in Karnataka, is now facing scrutiny over potential law enforcement connections. Initial reports suggest that Ranya would claim to be the DGP's daughter upon arrival and would request local police escorts to her home. The DRI is investigating if any officers were involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in her smuggling activities. Ranya, famous for her role in Maanikya opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep, has appeared in several other South Indian films. The DRI had been tracking her after noticing that she had made four trips to Dubai within just 15 days. Acting on this, the agency intercepted her on arrival. After her arrest, Ranya was taken to the DRI headquarters for further questioning. She was later produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
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Express Tribune
12-12-2024
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Pushpa 2-inspired ear-biting incident sparks police probe in India's Gwalior
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