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Kannada Actor Ranya Rao Arrested for Smuggling Gold Worth ₹12.56 Crore

Authorities are investigating the misuse of VIP privileges and the potential involvement of her IPS stepfather in the smuggling operation.

Kannada actor actor Ranya Rao (L) and her stepfather Ramachandra Rao (R).
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Ranya Rao was caught with undeclared gold at the Bengaluru airport.
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested from the Kempagowda International Airport.

Overview

  • Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai, worth ₹12.56 crore.
  • The Karnataka government has ordered a probe into the alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol privileges and the role of her stepfather, senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao.
  • Investigators seized additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore from her Bengaluru residence.
  • Ranya Rao claims she faced verbal harassment during questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence but denied physical abuse.
  • The case has triggered a political blame game between Congress and BJP over alleged links to government officials and past land allotments to a company associated with the actor.