Bengaluru: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested on Monday at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold, has maintained her innocence, claiming she was ‘trapped’ into the illegal activity. The actress, who was caught with 17 gold bars worth ₹12 crore strapped to her body, broke down during questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and repeatedly stated that she had no involvement in the smuggling racket.
Rao, in tears, told her lawyers, “I keep thinking, why did I get into it? My mind goes back to the day at the airport. I cannot sleep. I am experiencing mental trauma,” she shared. Despite these emotional claims, her earlier statement to the DRI contradicted her current assertions. In the statement, Rao admitted to being caught with the gold but insisted she was unaware of the full extent of the operation.
Authorities, who are still investigating the case, have questioned how Rao became involved in the smuggling. They have asked her to reveal who might have “trapped” her, as she claims, and the circumstances that led her into this situation. Her case bears similarities to a 2024 incident in Chennai, where a woman was blackmailed into gold smuggling by a close associate. Investigators are now exploring whether someone close to Rao could have coerced or manipulated her into participating in the crime.
Ranya Rao’s arrest has shocked many, not least because of her ties to prominent figures in Karnataka. She is the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer in the state. However, the officer has distanced himself from the actress, stating that he is unaware of her activities and that she has been living with her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, for some time.
The DRI not only arrested Rao but also conducted raids at her residence, where they seized significant amounts of cash and jewelry, further complicating her legal situation. Rao has been remanded to DRI custody until March 10, and authorities are intensifying their investigation into the broader network of smugglers allegedly involved in the operation.
In parallel, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against international drug smugglers linked to the gold smuggling ring, broadening the scope of the investigation. As the case unfolds, authorities are keen to understand whether this is an isolated incident or part of a larger, organized criminal network.
