Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was caught smuggling gold at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, has confessed to possessing 17 gold bars, according to a leaked statement given to revenue officials. The 33-year-old actor, who is also the stepdaughter of a senior Karnataka IPS officer, admitted to multiple international trips, including to the Middle East, Europe, and America, raising further suspicions about her involvement in an organized smuggling network.
Ranya Rao’s Confession
In her statement, Ranya Rao disclosed that she frequently traveled to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and other Western countries. She also mentioned feeling exhausted at the time of her arrest, stating, “I am tired as I did not get enough rest.”
Officials revealed that she had visited Dubai 27 times in the past year, which led to increased surveillance by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The authorities grew suspicious after noticing that this was her fourth trip to Dubai in just 15 days, prompting them to confront her at the airport, leading to one of the biggest gold seizures in recent times.
Gold Smuggling Operation and Arrest
Ranya Rao was caught with 14.8 kg of gold worth approximately ₹14.56 crore at the Bengaluru airport on Monday night. According to investigators, she was part of an organized smuggling network and earned hefty commissions ranging from ₹4-5 lakh per kilogram of gold smuggled. To avoid detection, she allegedly wore some gold as jewelry while concealing the rest in her clothing.
After her arrest, officials raided her residence and seized additional gold jewelry worth over ₹2 crore, along with ₹2.67 crore in Indian currency. She has now been sent to judicial custody and has expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Family Links and Stepfather’s Statement
Ranya Rao’s stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, is the Director-General of Police (DGP) of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. However, he has denied any involvement in her alleged crimes, stating that he was “shocked and devastated” by the news.
In an official statement, the senior police officer emphasized that he had maintained an unblemished career and had not been in touch with Ranya Rao since her marriage four months ago. He also expressed concern over his reputation being unfairly linked to the case, saying,
“It is deeply distressing that my years of hard work may be unfairly associated with these events.”
Legal Proceedings and Further Investigation
The DRI has taken Ranya Rao into custody for three days to gather more details about the gold smuggling racket. Authorities are now investigating her links with other smuggling syndicates and potential connections to organized crime networks in Dubai and beyond.
This case has sparked widespread attention, not only due to Ranya Rao’s celebrity status but also because of her links to a senior IPS officer. With ongoing investigations, more revelations about the extent of the gold smuggling operation are expected in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
