Latest news with #Maanikya
News18
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Who Is Ranya Rao? What Is The Gold Smuggling Case Against The Kannada Actress?
Last Updated: Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: The case against Ranya Rao came to light on March 3 when she was apprehended by DRI officials at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Kannada actress Ranya Rao was thrust into the spotlight over her alleged involvement in a high-profile gold smuggling case that has seen her arrested and linked to a multi-crore illicit operation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today raided a medical college in Tumakuru linked to Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the ongoing investigation into the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. Who is Ranya Rao? Ranya Rao is an Indian actress and model primarily known for her work in Kannada cinema. She made her debut in the 2014 film Maanikya and has appeared in other Kannada films, including Pataki. Born on May 28, 1993, in Chikmagalur, Karnataka, she is also the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao. What Is The Gold Smuggling Case In Which Ranya Rao Is Involved? The case against Ranya Rao came to light on March 3 when she was apprehended by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru upon her arrival from Dubai. Authorities seized 14.2 kg of 24-karat gold bars, valued at over ₹12.56 crore, which were allegedly concealed on her body, including around her waist, calves and in her shoes and pockets. Subsequent investigations revealed a potentially larger and more complex smuggling network which included Ranya Rao's numerous trips to Dubai – 34 times between 2023 and 2025. Further investigations suggested that she may have smuggled a total of 49.6 kg of gold worth over ₹40 crore with the assistance of a jeweller, Sahil Sakariya Jain, who was also arrested. A subsequent raid on Ranya Rao's residence uncovered gold jewellery worth over ₹2 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore. Ranya Rao was initially remanded to judicial custody under the Customs Act. While a special court in Bengaluru granted her default bail on May 20 due to the DRI's failure to file a chargesheet within the stipulated 60 days, she remains in custody. The case is being jointly investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI. The Karnataka government has also formed a special team to probe any potential involvement of her stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, although he has publicly distanced himself from the controversy. Ranya Rao, along with co-accused Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakariya Jain, is currently lodged at the Bengaluru Central Prison. First Published: May 21, 2025, 12:01 IST
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ranya Rao Gets Bail In Gold Smuggling Case But Will Stay In Jail. Here's Why
Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested for smuggling gold bars worth Rs 14.56 crore in March, was granted bail by a special court on Tuesday. The actor will, however, remain in prison as she has also been booked under the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974, that allows preventive detention without bail for a year. The Special Court for Economic Offences granted bail to Ms Rao - stepdaughter of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ramachandra Rao - and another accused Tarun Kondaru Raju after it noted that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had failed to file a charge sheet in the case. Besides the DRI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation are probing the matter. The two accused were also granted bail on the condition that they will furnish two sureties and a bond of Rs 2 lakh. They have also been directed not to leave the country. Mr Rao was caught smuggling gold bars weighing 14.2 kg, worth Rs 14.56 crore, when she arrived from Dubai at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3. The actor, who made her debut with the 2014 movie Maanikya, came under the radar of DRI officials after she made her fourth visit to Dubai in 15 days. It was earlier learnt that she made 27 trips to Dubai in the past year. Sources said she used to wear some of the gold and conceal the rest in her clothing to avoid getting caught. After arresting Ms Rao, investigators raided her house and recovered gold jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore and cash worth Rs 2.67 crore. In a leaked statement, the actor revealed the details of her international trips to locations such as the Middle East, Dubai and some Western countries. She has admitted that 17 gold bars were found on her. Mr Rao has denied any involvement in the crime and said he was "shocked and devastated" by the news of his stepdaughter being arrested on smuggling charges. In a statement on March 5, the senior cop said there has been no "black mark" on his career and that he was not in touch with his step daughter since she got married four months ago. He also said he was unaware of her and her husband Jatin Hukkeri's business dealings.
Muscat Daily
09-03-2025
- Muscat Daily
Kannada actress Ranya Rao denies role in gold smuggling
Bengaluru, India – Kannada actress Ranya Rao has denied any involvement in a gold smuggling racket after being arrested at Kempegowda International Airport with nearly 15kg of gold worth ₹12 crore (approx. RO533,000) strapped to her body. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) detained Rao on March 04, 2025, suspecting her role in an international smuggling syndicate. However, during questioning, she reportedly broke down and insisted she was 'trapped' into the act. 'I keep thinking why I got into this. My mind keeps going back to that day at the airport. I cannot sleep. I am suffering mental trauma,' she reportedly told her lawyers while being produced in court on Friday. Authorities are now investigating her claims and seeking to determine if she was coerced into the smuggling attempt. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also been brought in to probe potential links to a broader international network. Further inquiries revealed that Rao had travelled to Dubai around 30 times in recent months, heightening suspicions of deeper involvement. The DRI is currently working to uncover any connections to a female-led smuggling syndicate. Ranya Rao, originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, made her acting debut in the 2014 Kannada film 'Maanikya' and has since starred in several South Indian films. Her stepfather, senior Karnataka IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the controversy, stating he has 'no knowledge' of her activities. Rao remains in DRI custody until March 10, while investigations continue.
Gulf Today
06-03-2025
- Gulf Today
Actress with 14kg of gold arrested at Bengaluru airport, jailed
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday raided the Bengaluru residence of jailed Kannada actress Ranya Rao and seized a huge quantity of cash and gold worth crores of rupees. The raid followed Rao's arrest at Bengaluru International Airport, where she was caught smuggling 14.8 kg of gold. Authorities recovered Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her upscale Lavelle Road flat, where she reportedly paid Rs4.5 lakh in rent. Ranya Rao, 32, is the daughter of Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation). However, he has distanced himself from her, stating that they have not been in touch since her marriage four months ago. According to police, the actress was taken into custody on Monday night at the airport after her arrival on a flight from a Gulf country. Getting information that the accused actress had boarded the flight, a team of four officers from the DRI officers came down to the Bengaluru airport and awaited her arrival. The DRI had been monitoring her frequent trips to the Gulf country, which reportedly included four visits in just 15 days. Investigators revealed that she smuggled gold bars concealed in her belt and clothing, using her DGP father's name to evade suspicion. Upon landing, she would call police personnel for a pick-up, who then escorted her home. The DRI is now probing whether any police personnel or an IPS officer related to her was involved in the gold smuggling operation or if she acted alone. Officials are also investigating whether she had trafficked gold on previous occasions. Following her arrest, she was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru for questioning and later produced in court, where she was remanded to judicial custody. Ranya Rao, who has acted opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in Maanikya, has also worked in other South Indian films.
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.
