The investigation into the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao took a new turn on Wednesday, March 5, as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) expanded its probe to a jewellery boutique in Bengaluru’s central business district. The 33-year-old actor was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 after DRI officials allegedly found 14.2 kg of gold concealed on her person upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight.
Following her arrest, the DRI conducted searches at her Lavelle Road apartment and seized assets worth Rs 4.73 crore. This included Rs 2.1 crore worth of designer gold ornaments and Rs 2.7 crore in cash. With the gold seized at the airport, the total value of contraband recovered in the case now stands at Rs 17.3 crore. In a statement, the DRI described the arrest as one of the biggest gold seizures from an air passenger in recent times.
“Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted a 33-year-old Indian woman passenger who had arrived in Bengaluru from Dubai on an Emirates flight on March 3, 2025. Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on her person. The contraband, valued at Rs 12.56 crore, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Following the interception, DRI officers conducted a search at her residential premises on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. The woman has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody,” the statement read.
The DRI is now investigating her frequent travels to Dubai and her possible involvement in an organised smuggling network. Officials say that Ranya had been under surveillance due to her repeated short-duration trips to the Gulf since January. They were monitoring her movements and the people she met before intercepting her. Investigators suspect that she used official protocol privileges at airports to bypass security checks. They are also investigating the role of family members as Ranya allegedly used official favours and protocols to avoid physical screening at airports.
The case has now taken a political turn, with several Congress MLAs calling for a thorough investigation. Referring to the arrest in the Karnataka Assembly, Congress MLA HD Ranganath remarked, “We have been hearing a lot about gold smuggling. Surprisingly, affluent families are involved in such activities. It is unfortunate that those who come from well-to-do backgrounds engage in such illegal activities.” He also linked the case to larger financial crimes, saying, “This incident could be tied to black money transactions and tax evasion.”
Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad stressed the need for an impartial inquiry. “This cannot be taken lightly. A thorough investigation is necessary to understand how this happened. Irrespective of whose daughter she is, the law must be applied equally to everyone,” he stated. Legal adviser to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and MLA AS Ponnanna echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “She is an accused. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP’s, CM’s or Prime Minister’s daughter.”
Home Minister Parameshwara maintained that the investigation is being handled by the DRI, and the state police will not interfere. “Until and unless the DRI comes out with definite information, I will not be able to react. If I say something now, it would be mere speculation. If it were our police, we would have had more details. Misuse of protocol, if any, needs to be examined. I have discussed the matter with the state police chief and internally asked for a review, but since the DRI is investigating, the state police cannot conduct a parallel probe,” he said.
Ranya Rao, who is the stepdaughter of Karnataka Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao, has remained in judicial custody since her arrest.