Kannada actress Ranya Rao found carrying 14.8 kg gold at Bengaluru airport; arrested

Rao, known for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in 'Maanikya' (2014), has also appeared in a few other South Indian films.

Updated on: Mar 5, 2025, 09:33:22 IST

By HT News Desk

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Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night after she was found in possession of 14.8 kilogram of gold.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested from the Kempagowda International Airport. (Facebook/ Ranya Rao)

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made the arrest, officials quoted in a news agency PTI report informed. Ranya Rao was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody.

Who is Ranya Rao

Ranya Rao, known for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in 'Maanikya' (2014), has also appeared in a few other South Indian films.

The cops are investigating whether she was acting alone or was part of a larger smuggling network operating between Dubai and India. According to the police, the actress came on their radar after she travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days. Such a frequency raised eyebrows and prompted a targeted operation after she returned on Monday.

Ranya Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer from Karnataka, K. Ramachandra Rao. He is serving as Director-General of Police (DGP) at Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.

Also read: Excise dept surpasses revenue target, earns over ₹5,422 cr in Feb

Chain of events leading to Ranya Rao’s arrest

According to the officials quoted in the PTI report, Ranya Rao had arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from Dubai on an Emirates flight. She had been under surveillance due to her frequent international travel.

Cops grew suspicious after noticing that she had travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days, prompting a targeted operation upon her return.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Rao may have attempted to use her connections to bypass customs checks. The PTI report also indicates that upon landing, she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police and contacted local police personnel to escort her home.

Investigators revealed that she had allegedly smuggled the gold by wearing a significant portion of it and concealing gold bars in her clothing.

Officials are now probing whether any law enforcement officers, including her IPS relative, were aware of her activities or were misled into assisting her. After her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning.

Google Trends

Interest in the search term 'Ranya Rao' surged on Tuesday evening and peaked on Wednesday morning following the Kannada actress's arrest at Bengaluru airport for smuggling gold. Most searches came from Karnataka, followed by Kerala, Telangana, Goa, and Tamil Nadu. Related queries included 'actress Ranya Rao,' 'actress Ranya,' 'Ranya Rao father,' 'Ranya Rao movies,' and 'Ramya Rao.'

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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