CELEBRITY GOLD HEIST!! Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested at Bengaluru Airport with 14.8 kg Gold
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport late Monday night after discovering 14.8 kg of gold in her possession.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport late Monday night after discovering 14.8 kg of gold in her possession. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the South Indian film industry and raised questions about a potential smuggling syndicate operating between Dubai and Bengaluru.
Rao, who arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai, had been under DRI surveillance due to her unusually frequent international trips—four in the past 15 days alone. Officials allege she attempted to smuggle the gold, valued at over ₹12 crore, by wearing much of it discreetly on her body while concealing additional gold bars in her clothing. Following her detention, she was produced before a Special Court for Economic Offences on Tuesday, which remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody.
The actress, recognized for her debut role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in Maanikya (2014), reportedly claimed to be the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) upon arrival, allegedly arranging for local police to escort her home. This has sparked an investigation into whether she exploited her claimed connections—possibly linked to a serving IPS officer—to evade customs scrutiny. Authorities are now examining if law enforcement personnel were complicit or unwittingly misled.
After her arrest, Rao was interrogated at the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout. Preliminary findings suggest this may not have been her first smuggling attempt, prompting a deeper probe into her travel history and potential ties to a larger network. The incident has cast a spotlight on gold smuggling routes through Bengaluru, with officials yet to release an official statement as the investigation unfolds.
Rao’s arrest marks a stunning fall for the 32-year-old actress, who also starred in Tamil and Kannada films like Wagah (2016) and Pataki (2017).
