The Karnataka High Court has dismissed the bail application of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is currently under investigation for her alleged role in a high-value gold smuggling operation through Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
Ranya Rao was arrested earlier in March after officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her with approximately 14.2 kilograms of gold, valued at around ₹12.86 crore. The DRI strongly opposed her bail, citing concerns about her extensive international travel history — with more than 27 trips to Dubai in recent months — and her possession of a UAE residency card, raising fears of potential absconding.
Investigators have alleged that Rao, who is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police K. Ramachandra Rao, leveraged her influence to bypass normal airport security protocols. According to reports, a state police protocol officer allegedly facilitated her clearance through airport channels, bypassing routine customs inspections.
Subsequent searches at her residence led to the seizure of additional gold jewelry worth over ₹2.06 crore and unaccounted cash totaling ₹2.67 crore, pushing the total value of confiscated assets to nearly ₹17.29 crore.
Rao’s legal counsel argued that her arrest was marred by procedural lapses, including the absence of a properly issued arrest memo and failure to promptly present her before a magistrate, which they claimed violated Supreme Court guidelines. Allegations were also raised regarding her treatment during custody, citing sleep deprivation and coercive interrogation tactics.
Despite these arguments, the Karnataka High Court upheld the DRI’s opposition, noting the gravity of the charges and the broader implications for economic security and public trust. The bench emphasized that offences involving the smuggling of precious commodities like gold have serious repercussions on the nation’s financial stability.
The case has sparked widespread public interest, especially given the involvement of senior law enforcement figures. Initially, the Karnataka government authorized a CID investigation into potential misconduct by police officials. However, this decision was later reversed, with authorities stating that an internal inquiry led by the Additional Chief Secretary was already underway.
Ranya Rao remains in judicial custody, and the investigation continues to unfold as authorities dig deeper into the suspected gold smuggling network.
Read More: CBI arrests Dy. CIT Allegedly Involvement in Sabotaging Faceless Scheme of Income Tax Assessment
