The investigation into the gold smuggling scandal involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who has also appeared in Tamil films, has revealed startling details. The 33-year-old actress, who is the stepdaughter of Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao, was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, attempting to smuggle nearly 15 kilograms of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore. The gold was concealed in a disguised waist belt strapped to her body.
Authorities apprehended Ranya Rao while she was trying to evade customs checks. Reports indicate that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted her and discovered more than 14 kilograms of gold. Further investigations led to a raid on her Bengaluru residence, where officials found gold jewelry valued at ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. In total, the DRI confiscated ₹17.29 crore worth of gold from her.
Investigators found that Rao had traveled to Dubai approximately 30 times in the past year. According to sources, she was smuggling significant quantities of gold and was paid ₹1 lakh per kilogram. This illegal operation reportedly earned her between ₹12 lakh and ₹13 lakh per trip.
A DRI official stated, “The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody. On March 4, she was placed in 14-day judicial custody as authorities continued their probe.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Ranya Rao used specially modified waist belts and jackets to smuggle gold past airport security. She has been under watch for weeks because she travels so often. She is accused of using special rights typically given to high ranking bureaucrats to use airport police to cut through normal security processes. It sounds like quite a gaming of the system to me. Additionally, she was transported in a government vehicle to avoid road inspections.
They believe Rao is deeply embedded in a big network of smugglers who work with people in all sorts of high spots bribing cops for favors, handing out cash to businessmen, and working with pesky politicians. She got caught right as she was just about to go through security at the airport. During police interrogation, she reportedly claimed that she was being blackmailed into smuggling the gold. Investigators are now scrutinizing footage of her past arrivals to understand the full scope of her activities. Despite having no known family or business ties to Dubai, her frequent trips there, often with her husband Jatin Hukkeri, have raised suspicions.
Meanwhile, her stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, distanced himself from her actions. He expressed his shock, stating, “I was devastated when I heard about this through the media. I had no knowledge of these activities. She got hitched a couple of months ago and now she’s living apart from her husband. It’s a tricky new phase for her at the moment. There must be personal issues between them.”
The DGP also said, “We don’t have any idea about her business dealings or her husband’s either. This has come as a huge shock and disappointment. Regardless, the law will take its course. I have maintained an unblemished career, and I do not wish to comment further.
Ramachandra Rao’s Controversial Past
Despite his claims, Ramachandra Rao has faced controversies before. Back in 2014, when he held the very important job of Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Mysoor for the Southern Range, he became involved in a big case dealing with hawala money. Hawala cases are not uncommon and that time he got into hot water with a major one. At that time officers intercepted a bus carrying hawala money and seized ₹20 million. Then later a businessman from Kerala spoke up accusing police of misappropriating the money.
The businessman alleged that police had looted a bus in Mysuru’s Yelwal neighborhood, seizing Rs 2.07 crore. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) took over the case, leading to the arrest of Ramachandra Rao’s personal gunman and police informants. As a result, Rao was transferred to headquarters and relieved of his IGP duties.
Also, some police officers at lower ranks suspected of having taken sides with robbers. While some officers faced consequences, no official or legal action was taken against Rao himself.
Two years later, in another controversy, Rao and another senior IPS officer were questioned by the CID regarding the deaths of gangsters Dharmaraj and Gangadhar Chadachana in an allegedly staged encounter. Rao maintained that he had no involvement in the matter.
As investigators look into the case of smuggling gold by Ranya Rao they are focused on going deeper into smuggling ring network and making sure they bring to light other people who may also be involved. The thing is really getting a lot of attention from people right now because it’s high profile and it involves a relative of a high ranking police officer. That has really put this on the front burner in people’s minds.
The DRI and other investigative agencies remain committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice, while the Karnataka police force faces increasing scrutiny over allegations of corruption and protocol misuse.
