Kannada actor Ranya Rao was caught attempting to smuggle 14 kilograms of gold concealed on her person while passing through the green channel at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. After arriving from Dubai, customs officials discovered the gold hidden in various locations on her body. A subsequent search of her residence revealed cash and jewelry worth over Rs 4 crore, with no documentation to support their legality. Rao was charged with duty evasion of Rs 4.83 crore, and authorities suspect her involvement in a larger smuggling syndicate. A CID investigation has been ordered into possible police collusion and her step-father’s role in the case.
Bengaluru:
On the day Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s attempt to smuggle gold was uncovered, she was passing through the green channel at the airport, designed for travelers without items to declare to customs, while concealing 14 kilograms of gold on her person.
Upon her arrival at Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 2 from an Emirates flight originating in Dubai on March 4, officials from the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her based on specific intelligence. When asked if she had any dutiable goods, gold, or other contraband to declare to Indian Customs, Rao denied having any.
Although Rao did not declare any baggage to Indian Customs, she also lacked a purchase receipt or any documentation to prove the legality of her gold acquisition.
A metal detector indicated the presence of a metallic object, prompting a scan of her hand baggage and trolley. However, no items were discovered. Subsequent personal scrutiny revealed her concealed gold. She had wrapped gold bars around her waist and calf muscles with crepe bandages and tissues. Additional bars and cut pieces were stashed in her shoes and pockets.
The seizure of 14,213.050 grams of 24-karat gold from Rao marked the onset of similar confiscations. According to the Customs Act of 1962, the permissible threshold for gold transport is valued at Rs 1 crore.
A follow-up search of her residence on Lavelle Road, aimed at locating confiscable goods and relevant documents, uncovered Rs 2.67 crore in cash and over Rs 2 crore in jewelry. Rao was unable to explain the origin of the cash or provide invoices for the jewelry.
Moreover, Customs declarations from Dubai in November and December of the previous year indicated that she had purchased gold and informed Customs of her intent to travel to Geneva with it. However, her travel log shows she diverged and arrived in India instead. She has also been accused of duty evasion amounting to Rs 4.83 crore, significantly exceeding the Rs 50 lakh threshold.
Her frequent trips to Dubai raised suspicions among authorities that she might continue to smuggle gold into India, prompting her arrest. Additional reasons for her detention included the need to deter her from further such offenses, as she appeared to be part of a larger syndicate with extensive resources and a complex network.
According to the DRI arrest memo, Rao has not fully cooperated in the investigation, failing to provide complete information. Her arrest also aims to prevent any potential evidence tampering, as noted in the memo.
The memo further indicated that at the time of her arrest, she already had injury marks beneath her eyes from a prior incident. This detail gained importance as multiple news sources reported allegations of torture during her detention.
The Karnataka government has initiated a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry into the gold smuggling case involving Rao, who is the step-daughter of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao.
The CID is tasked with examining possible oversights by the police department and any collusion related to the case. Additionally, the state government has mandated a separate investigation concerning Rao’s step-father, DGP Ramachandra Rao.