Kannada actress Ranya Rao arrested at Bengaluru airport for smuggling Rs 12 cr gold

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended Rao on Monday night after receiving a tip-off, reported India Today.

She arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight and was immediately taken into custody.

A court handling economic offences later remanded her to judicial custody for 14 days.

According to DRI sources, Rao had been under watch due to her frequent overseas trips, the report said.

Investigators found that she had visited Dubai four times in just 15 days, raising suspicions of smuggling activity.

Authorities then carried out a targeted operation upon her return, leading to her arrest.

Officials revealed that she allegedly smuggled the gold by hiding bars in her clothing and wearing a substantial amount of it.

A significant portion was reportedly concealed inside her jacket.

Investigators suspect she may have relied on her connections to bypass customs inspections, according to the report.

Reports suggest that after landing, Rao identified herself as the daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who heads the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.

She also allegedly sought police assistance to secure an escort from the airport.

Authorities are now examining whether any law enforcement officials, including her father, were aware of her actions or unknowingly facilitated her escape.

Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru's HBR Layout for further questioning, India Today reported.

Investigators are also probing whether she was operating independently or was linked to a larger gold smuggling network between Dubai and India.

Ranya Rao, who gained recognition for her role alongside Kannada superstar Sudeep in Maanikya (2014), has also appeared in several other South Indian films.