Kannada Actor Ranya Rao Denied Bail in Gold Smuggling Case as Investigation Deepens

Authorities allege Ranya Rao's involvement in a sophisticated smuggling syndicate, while the actor claims custodial torture and denies wrongdoing.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru airport for allegedly smuggling over 14 kg of gold from Dubai, valued at ₹12.56 crore.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) claims she traveled to Dubai 27 times since January 2025 and used a Karnataka Police Protocol Officer to bypass airport security checks.
A special court denied her bail, citing her potential to tamper with evidence, intimidate witnesses, and her alleged role in an organized smuggling syndicate involving hawala transactions.
Ranya Rao has alleged custodial torture, claiming she was slapped, coerced into signing blank documents, and falsely implicated to shield more influential individuals.
Investigations have expanded to include the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), focusing on international connections and the possible involvement of public servants in the smuggling network.