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.

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.