March 5th 2025.
In Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, there has been a recent development that has caught the attention of the state's Home Minister, G. Parameshwara. It involves the arrest of Ranya Rao, a well-known Kannada actress and daughter of a senior IPS officer. She has been implicated in a case of gold smuggling, with the value of the illegal goods amounting to crores of rupees.
Parameshwara addressed the media at Vidhana Soudha, stating that he has requested an internal report from the Police Department. He also mentioned that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is currently handling the investigation. Until they provide concrete information, the Minister refrains from commenting on the incident.
He further revealed that the matter has been discussed with the police chief, and the Department has instructed him to gather more information. Parameshwara emphasized that it would be mere speculation on his part to say anything without proper evidence. He also clarified that since the DRI is a central agency, it is their responsibility to conduct the investigation. If the Police Department was involved, they could have provided some insight into the case.
Responding to reports of Rao misusing her father's position and protocol, the Home Minister asserted that all claims must be thoroughly investigated. The DRI had discovered that the actress had used an unconventional method to avoid security checks. She had affixed 14 gold bars to her thighs using adhesive, wrapped them with tape, and covered them with a crepe bandage.
So far, the authorities have seized 17.29 kg of gold and a considerable amount of cash in connection with the case. Rao was apprehended by officials upon her arrival at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from Dubai on an Emirates flight on Monday night. It is believed that she took advantage of her father's position as the Director General of Police to bypass security checks at the airport. Upon landing, she would call police personnel to pick her up and escort her home.
The DRI is now looking into whether any police officers were complicit in this smuggling network. In a recent development, they conducted a raid at Rao's luxurious apartment in Lavelle Road, Bengaluru on Wednesday, where she pays a rent of Rs 4.5 lakh. The search resulted in the discovery of more gold and cash, bringing the total seizure to 17.29 kg of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.
Rao's father, Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the case, stating that they have not been in touch since her marriage four months ago. Ranya Rao, famous for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in 'Maanikya,' has also appeared in other South Indian films. She was produced in court on Tuesday and remanded to judicial custody while the investigations continue to uncover the smuggling network and any potential accomplices.
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