A special court granted the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) three-day custody of actress Ranya Rao for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai. Rao was arrested earlier this week at Kempegowda International Airport.
The DRI believes the smuggled gold has links to anti-national activities. Investigators sought her custody to trace the source and recipients of the gold. The court approved the request, delaying her bail plea.
Authorities revealed that Rao, whose passport lists her as Harshavardini Ranya, visited Dubai 27 times in the last six months. These frequent trips raised suspicions about her activities abroad.
After her arrest, the actress claimed she worked as a freelancer in Dubai’s real estate sector. However, investigators suspect she was part of an organized smuggling racket.
During the operation, officials seized gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore, along with gold jewellery and cash from her home, bringing the total recovery to Rs 17.29 crore.
Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao. Officials are now looking into whether she has smuggled gold in the past and if she misused VIP privileges at the airport.
The 14.2 kg gold seizure is among the biggest in Bengaluru airport’s history. Authorities continue to probe deeper into the smuggling network.