Ranya said that she had travelled to Europe, America and the Middle East and had visited Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
Published Mar 07, 2025 | 5:30 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 07, 2025 | 10:13 PM
Ranya Rao. (x)
Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was taken into custody on Monday, 3 March, at the Bengaluru Kempagowda airport for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore from Dubai, has admitted that 17 gold bars were found on her in a statement given to the revenue officials.
In the statement, Ranya noted, “I reiterate that I was present during the Mahazar proceedings and accept that 17 pieces of gold bars were recovered from my possession.”
Further, in the statement she revealed details about her international trips. Ranya said that she had travelled to Europe, America and the Middle East and had visited Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
According to an earlier Indian Express report, Ranya had been under DRI surveillance due to her frequent international trips.
Requesting the officials to continue the proceeding the following morning, Ranya in the statement said, that she would co-operate in the ongoing investigation and shall appear before the court as and when called for.
With Ranya being the stepdaughter of Ramachandra Rao, DGP of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, the officials were also investigating if she had any support from law enforcement.
Ramachandra Rao, however, expressed his shock and devastation upon learning through the media about his daughter, being arrested by the DRI. He stated, “I had no prior knowledge of this, and like any other father, I was deeply shocked.”
Preliminary findings suggest that upon arriving at the airport, she would identify herself as the DGP’s daughter and request local police escorts to her home. The DRI is now probing whether these officers were complicit or unknowingly involved in the smuggling network.
Ranya made her film debut in 2014 with the Kannada movie Maanikya, directed by and starring Kichcha Sudeep.
