Actor Ranya Rao Arrested in ₹12.56 Crore Gold Smuggling Case; Political Tensions Escalate

The investigation reveals alleged political connections, past land allotment by BJP government, and CBI involvement in the high-profile case.

Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport after being caught with 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore, smuggled from Dubai.
Subsequent searches at her residence uncovered additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore, bringing the total seizure to ₹17.29 crore.
The BJP alleges Rao attempted to contact two Congress ministers for help, while the Congress points to land allotments made to her firm by the previous BJP government in 2023.
Ranya Rao's company, Ksiroda India, received 12 acres of industrial land in Tumakuru district for a steel plant project valued at ₹138 crore, approved under the BJP's tenure.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the case, with authorities emphasizing concerns about national security and organized smuggling networks.