 "Wrapped around waist, stashed in shoes: Ranya Rao's method to smuggle gold, revealed")
Kannada actor Ranya Rao has been arrested in one of the biggest gold smuggling cases at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in recent years.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has now released a memo, detailing the evidence against Rao in the case.
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On March 3, the DRI arrested the actress as she was attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold into India, which was valued at nearly Rs 13 crore.
Notably, Rao is the stepdaughter of **K Ramachandra Rao** , a senior IPS officer from Karnataka, who currently serves as the Director-General of Police (DGP) at Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
So, how did she manage to smuggle the gold, and how was she caught?
Let’s find out:
What DRI said in the arrest memo
The DRI said in its arrest memo that Kannada actor Ranya Rao had purchased gold in Dubai on November 13 and December 20, declaring her destination as Geneva, according to CNN-News18. However, instead of travelling there, she arrived in India.
**Rao** has admitted that before her arrest, she had smuggled gold from Dubai to India on at least two previous occasions. The DRI estimates that she evaded customs duty worth around Rs 4.83 crore.
Last week, in her initial statement to DRI officials, Rao admitted to possessing 17 gold bars, News18 reported. She also disclosed that she had travelled not just to Dubai but also to Europe, America, and West Asia. However, she refused to provide further details.
Notably, the arrest memo described the sequence of events leading to her detention, along with voluntary statements she made at the DRI office on March 4, a day after her arrest.
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How was she caught?
Rao attempted to pass through the Green Channel at Kempegowda International Airport, stating that she had no dutiable or prohibited goods to declare. However, a metal detector alerted the security, according to India Today.
A Green Channel at an airport is designated for passengers who do not have taxable or restricted goods, allowing them to exit without customs inspection.
Those carrying dutiable or restricted items must use the Red Channel, declare their goods, and pay the required customs duty.
“Attempting to pass through the Green Channel, she denied carrying any dutiable goods, gold, or contraband. However, a metal detector alerted officers to the presence of concealed items on her person,” the document read.
DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted Rao upon her arrival on Emirates Flight EK 566 from Dubai on March 3, 2025, at 6.30 pm.
A detailed personal search revealed that she had wrapped gold bars around her waist and calves using bandages and tissues. Other gold bars and cut pieces were hidden inside her shoes and front pockets, India Today reported.
The DRI arrest memo also stated that Rao failed to provide proof of purchase or declaration for the seized gold.
Rao admitted that on two previous occasions, she planned to smuggle gold from Dubai to India. She evaded customs duty amounting to Rs 4.83 crore.
As per the arrest memo, she has also not fully cooperated with the investigation and withheld key details. Her arrest, the memo said, would also prevent any attempts to tamper with evidence, NDTV reported.
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What do we know about Ranya Rao? Why was she arrested?
**Ranya Rao** is the stepdaughter of Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police at Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
Authorities had been monitoring her due to her frequent trips to Dubai - reportedly visiting 30 times in one year, including four times within just 15 days.
Originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Rao pursued engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before entering the film industry. She made her acting debut with the Kannada film Maanikya in 2014.
Investigators found that before her arrest, Rao had allegedly managed to evade strict customs checks. Each time she returned from Dubai, she was reportedly accompanied by a police escort who helped her pass through airport security.
On the day of her arrest, she once again attempted to bypass security screening with the assistance of a police constable named Basavaraju, India Today reported.
Following her arrest, the Bengaluru Directorate of Revenue Intelligence raided her residence in Bengaluru, seizing gold jewellery valued at Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.
On March 4, she was presented before a special court for financial offences and was remanded to judicial custody until March 18.
Presiding over the case, Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar directed the DRI to ensure Rao received essential provisions such as food and a bed while in custody. He also cautioned against any harsh treatment during the investigation.
Notably, Rao is married to **Jatin Hukkeri** , who also travelled frequently to Dubai with her.
Meanwhile, her stepfather, **Ramachandra Rao** , has distanced himself from her actions, stating that she had not been in contact with the family since marrying Hukkeri four months ago.
With inputs from agencies
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