Overview

• Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru Airport with 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at ₹12.56 crore, allegedly smuggled from Dubai.
• Subsequent searches at her residence uncovered additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, raising suspicions of a larger smuggling network.
• Her stepfather, DGP K. Ramachandra Rao, has been questioned by investigators over allegations that his position may have been exploited to facilitate the smuggling.
• The Karnataka government placed Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave and appointed a special committee to investigate his potential involvement, with a report expected within two days.
• Ranya Rao remains in custody while her bail plea has been adjourned until March 19; her husband, claiming separation since December, has sought exemption from arrest in the ongoing probe.