Ranya Rao, a well-known South Indian actress and the daughter of an IPS officer, was arrested on March 3, 2025, at the Bangalore International Airport after 14.8 kg of gold was recovered from her possession. Rao, who had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight, was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) along with her husband, following a suspicious pattern of frequent international travel.

The Arrest and Investigation

Upon her arrival, authorities became suspicious as Rao had reportedly traveled to Dubai four times in the past 15 days. She was placed under surveillance, and on her return to Bangalore, a targeted operation led to the discovery of the gold. According to investigators, the actress had concealed gold bars on her person, some of which were allegedly worn as jewelry and hidden in her clothing.

After her arrest, Ranya Rao was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody, with the next hearing scheduled for March 18. Authorities are now investigating whether Rao was working alone or if she was part of a larger smuggling network between Dubai and India.

Role of Connections and Alleged Customs Evasion

Reports suggest that Ranya Rao may have attempted to leverage her family connections to evade customs checks. Upon landing in Bangalore, she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) and requested assistance from local police personnel to facilitate her smooth passage through the airport.

However, authorities grew even more suspicious of her activities, and they are now questioning whether her use of influence was part of an effort to bypass routine checks.

Ranya Rao’s Career and Background

Ranya Rao is recognized for her role in the 2014 Kannada film "Maanikya," where she starred opposite the popular actor Sudeep. The actress has also appeared in several other South Indian films, gaining some degree of recognition in the industry. Her arrest, however, has cast a shadow over her career, leading to a significant amount of media attention.

The authorities continue to probe into the matter to determine the full extent of the smuggling operation and whether Ranya Rao was complicit in a larger illicit trade involving gold between Dubai and India.

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