Ranya Rao, a well-known actress in the Kannada film industry, is currently in the headlines, not for her films, but for her arrest in a major gold smuggling case.
Entertainment: Ranya Rao, a prominent actress in the Kannada film industry, is making headlines due to her arrest in a large-scale gold smuggling case, not for her film roles. Apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with a significant amount of gold, Ranya now claims she is a victim of a conspiracy.
'I am innocent, I have been framed' - Ranya Rao
After her arrest for gold smuggling and subsequent presentation before investigating agencies, Ranya declared her innocence, claiming she was forcibly implicated. Sources say Ranya confided in her lawyers, stating, "I can't sleep at night, constantly wondering how I got entangled in this. My mind is consumed by that day at the airport. I am mentally distressed."
Contradictory Official Statement and Claim
Ranya Rao's claim directly contradicts her earlier official statement. During questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), she admitted that the 17 gold bars recovered from her possession were intended for smuggling. Furthermore, she had undertaken multiple trips to Europe, America, and the Middle East. The primary question now before the authorities is: if Ranya is innocent, where did the smuggled gold originate, and what is the true reason for her involvement in this case?
Blackmail by a Close Associate?
Investigating agencies suspect Ranya was either working for a smuggling ring or was coerced into the operation by someone close to her. This case bears resemblance to an incident last year in Chennai, where the wife of a software engineer was arrested for smuggling 12 kilograms of gold from Dubai. It later emerged she had been blackmailed into committing the crime.
Ranya Arrested at Airport with 12 Crore Rupees Worth of Gold
On Monday, March 3rd, 2025, DRI officials, acting on a tip-off, arrested Ranya Rao at Bengaluru airport. Approximately 12 crore rupees worth of gold bars, concealed in a specialized belt, were recovered from her. Additionally, investigating agencies seized a large sum of cash and expensive jewelry from her residence.
After appearing in court, Ranya was remanded to DRI custody until March 10th. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation to determine whether Ranya was part of a larger smuggling network or if she was indeed framed.
