Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Caught Smuggling Gold Worth ₹17.29 Crore at KIA

Bengaluru, India: In one of the biggest gold seizures at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Kannada actress Ranya Rao was caught smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confirmed the total seizure in the case stands at ₹17.29 crore, including gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash found at her Lavelle Road residence.

Ranya, 33, was intercepted by DRI officials on March 3 after arriving from Dubai on an Emirates flight. The gold was cleverly concealed on her body using crepe bandages and tape. She was remanded in judicial custody for 24 days and is currently lodged in the women’s barrack cell.

Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, had been under surveillance due to her frequent travels to Gulf countries since January. Officials suspect she used official privileges to bypass airport checks and are now investigating her possible links to an international smuggling ring.