The arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has unveiled a complex gold smuggling operation with international ramifications. This article provides a comprehensive timeline of events from her arrest to the latest developments.
March 3, 2025: Arrest at Kempegowda International Airport
Ranya Rao, known for her roles in Kannada cinema, was apprehended by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) upon arrival from Dubai. Authorities discovered 14.8 kg of 24-karat gold, valued at ₹12.56 crore, concealed within a specially modified body jacket. This method involved wrapping gold bars around her waist and calves, with additional pieces hidden in her shoes and pockets. The DRI’s intervention was prompted by her frequent travels, including 30 trips to Dubai in the preceding year, raising suspicions of long-term smuggling activities.
March 4, 2025: Initial Court Appearance and Custody
Following her arrest, Rao was presented before a Bengaluru court, which remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody under the Customs Act of 1962. During interrogation, she confessed to smuggling gold for the first time, detailing how she collected the gold at Dubai Airport from an unidentified individual and used adhesive tape to conceal it on her body.She also admitted to using YouTube tutorials to plan the smuggling.
March 5, 2025: Raids and Seizure of Assets
Subsequent searches at Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru led to the seizure of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. Investigators also discovered that she possessed a UAE Resident Identity Card, suggesting deeper ties to Dubai. The DRI began probing potential hawala transactions linked to her activities.
March 6, 2025: Connections to Law Enforcement Uncovered
The investigation revealed that Rao’s stepfather, Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, was a senior IPS officer. Further, a State Protocol Officer was implicated in assisting her smuggling endeavors, highlighting potential misuse of official positions.These revelations prompted the Karnataka government to place the DGP-rank officer on compulsory leave and initiate questioning regarding his involvement.
March 12, 2025: Detailed Confession and Modus Operandi
An arrest memo released by the DRI provided insights into Rao’s smuggling techniques. She confessed to using specially designed jackets and belts to conceal gold bars on her body. Notably, in a prior instance, she declared gold destined for Geneva but diverted it to India, indicating a pattern of deceptive practices.
March 13, 2025: Enforcement Directorate Raids
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted multiple raids across Karnataka in connection with the case. These operations aimed to uncover the broader network involved in the smuggling syndicate and trace the financial trails associated with Rao’s activities.
March 14, 2025: Bail Plea Rejected
A Special Court of Economic Offences in Bengaluru denied Rao’s bail application, citing risks of evidence tampering and non-cooperation during the investigation. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the potential involvement of influential individuals.
March 27, 2025: Continued Judicial Proceedings
As of March 27, Rao remains in judicial custody. Her bail plea was once again rejected by the CCH 64 court in Bengaluru, with the public prosecutor highlighting the possibility of her destroying evidence and misleading the ongoing investigation. Investigations continue into her international connections, use of hawala channels for gold purchases, and the extent of the smuggling syndicate’s operations.
