NEW DELHI: Gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport, triggering searches at her residence. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) later recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore from her Lavelle Road home, bringing the total seizure to Rs 17.29 crore.
Ranya Rao, 33, was intercepted by DRI officers upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight on March 3. Acting on intelligence, officials discovered 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold ingeniously concealed on her person. The haul is one of the largest gold seizures at Bengaluru airport in recent times, news agency PTI reported.
The ministry of finance said the actress was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, and has been remanded to judicial custody.
Also read: ‘Whether she is DGP’s, CM’s or PMs daughter, law same for all’: Karnataka CM legal advisor on Ranya Rao’s arrest for alleged gold smuggling
Ranya is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who serves as the chairman and managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
He distanced himself from the case, stating he was unaware of her business dealings and that the incident was a “huge shock and disappointment.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara refrained from commenting, citing the DRI investigation underway.
Also read: ‘Investigation is ongoing, let DRI complete its probe’: Karnataka home minister on actress Ranya Rao’s arrest
“The investigation is ongoing. The DRI is handling the case, and until they provide definite information, I cannot comment. Let them complete their inquiry first. Internally, I have asked our department to look into it, and they will gather some information,” he told reporters.
