Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling 14 kilograms of gold concealed on her person at Kempegowda International Airport. Despite denying possession of dutiable goods, the subsequent search revealed significant hidden gold, cash, and jewelry at her residence. Rao faces severe charges and a CID investigation has been initiated into possible police collusion.
On March 4, Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport for attempting to smuggle 14 kilograms of gold concealed on her person. Rao, arriving from Dubai, passed through a green channel and initially denied possessing any dutiable goods to customs officials. Notably, she failed to present any purchase receipts or documentation to validate the gold’s legality.
Upon a thorough examination following a metal detector alert, officials discovered multiple gold bars fastened to her body and hidden in her shoes and pockets. This incident led to the seizure of 14,213 grams of 24-karat gold, far exceeding the permitted threshold of Rs 1 crore as per the Customs Act, 1962.
Subsequently, a search of her residence uncovered Rs 2.67 crore in cash and over Rs 2 crore in jewelry, for which she could not provide a source or invoices. Earlier customs documentation from Dubai indicated that she had declared her intention to travel with this gold to Geneva; however, her travel history revealed that she returned to India instead.
Rao was charged with duty evasion amounting to Rs 4.83 crore, significantly exceeding the Rs 50 lakh limit. Her repeated visits to Dubai prompted authorities to act on suspicions of her involvement in a broader gold smuggling syndicate. The DRI arrest memo highlighted her lack of full cooperation with the investigation, suggesting potential tampering of evidence.
In response to the situation, the Karnataka government has initiated a CID investigation focusing on the police department’s possible lapses and any collusion related to the case. Additionally, they will investigate her step-father, DGP Ramachandra Rao, in connection with the smuggling affair.
Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling gold and failing to provide documentation for its legal acquisition. A subsequent search yielded significant cash and jewelry with no proven source. Her actions raised substantial concerns regarding a potential smuggling network, prompting further investigation by authorities. The case continues to unfold as officials probe for police misconduct and connections to her step-father.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
