Kannada film actor Ranya Rao, 33, who is step daughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, was allegedly caught red-handed while trying to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold, worth over ₹12 crore from Dubai, at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which led the operation and arrested her, is yet to make a statement on the case.
Ranya's father K. Ramachandra Rao is serving as Director-General of Police, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
She has acted in three films as the lead, including the 2014 film Manikya, where she debuted and was paired with Sudeep. She also acted in the 2016 Tamil film Wagah and the 2017 Kannada film Pataki.
Ranya Rao reportedly tried to pass through the security without getting checked. A constable from the International Airport Police Station, who was with her, allegedly tried to escort her out.
However, DRI sleuths, who had a tip-off, stopped her and reportedly caught her red-handed trying to smuggle gold she had allegedly concealed on her body, in her jacket and other clothes. The DRI sleuths recovered a total of 14.8 kg of gold in bars, sources said.
Ranya used to smuggle gold from Dubai
Ranya Rao's frequent trips to Dubai with her husband, despite having no business or family there, and bypassing security checks at KIA, raised red flags in the security establishment at the airport, the sources said.
Being daughter of DGP, Ranya used to get an escort from the International Airport Police Station and walk out of the airport without being frisked often, the sources said.
Ranya Rao reportedly claimed she was blackmailed and forced to become a mule for the gold consignment. This is also being verified and part of the investigation now, according to sources.
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