Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Found Guilty Under COFEPOSA in 14.8 kg Gold Smuggling Case; Denied Bail and Sentenced to One Year in Prison.
Gold Smuggling Case: Kannada film actress Ranya Rao has been sentenced to one year in prison under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). Two other accused were also sentenced. According to the court order, they will not be entitled to apply for bail during the period of their sentence. Ranya was arrested on March 3 at the Bengaluru airport for smuggling 14.8 kg of gold. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation against her under the Money Laundering Act and seized assets worth approximately ₹34 crore.
Ranya Rao Sentenced to One Year in Gold Smuggling Case
Ranya Rao, a well-known actress in Kannada cinema, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty in a gold smuggling case. This sentence was handed down under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). Two other accused are also involved in this case and have received the same sentence as Ranya.
As per the order passed by the COFEPOSA Advisory Board, Ranya Rao and the other two convicts are not allowed to apply for bail during their imprisonment. This means they will not be able to get out of jail for one year under any circumstances.
Arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru Airport
Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on the night of March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. She had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight. The DRI had been monitoring her because of her frequent international travels.
As soon as she landed at the airport, DRI officers stopped and searched her. During the search, a total of 14.8 kg of gold was recovered from her, which is estimated to be worth crores of rupees.
Gold Hidden on Body and in Clothes
According to DRI officials, Ranya Rao had concealed gold bars in her clothes and on her body in a special manner. The officers were surprised that an actress could execute smuggling so professionally.
During interrogation, it was revealed that Ranya used to claim to be the daughter of a senior IPS officer at the airport to get special concessions. Reports also indicate that she often called local police personnel to drop her off at her home.
Ranya's Stepfather is a Senior IPS Officer
Another shocking revelation is that Ranya Rao's stepfather, Mr. Srirama Chandra Rao, is a senior IPS officer. The DRI claims that Ranya tried to evade the law by taking advantage of her influential family connections. However, the investigating agencies took no leniency this time, and the entire process was carried out according to the law.
Gained Recognition from the Film 'Maanikya'
Ranya Rao is a well-known name in the Kannada film industry. She played a significant role in the film 'Maanikya' alongside superstar Sudeep, which brought her considerable popularity. In addition to this, she has also worked in some other South Indian films. But, this incident could have a serious impact on her film career now.
ED also Took Major Action
In this case, not only the DRI but also the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken strict action against Ranya Rao. The ED had registered an ECIR against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
On July 4, 2025, the ED seized several immovable properties of Ranya Rao in Bengaluru. These properties include a house in Victoria Layout, Bengaluru, a plot in Arkavathi Layout, an industrial plot in Tumkur, and agricultural land in Anekal Taluk. The total estimated value of all these properties is approximately ₹34.12 crore.
Court's Strict Stance; No Right to Bail
It is often observed that the accused get bail and come out of jail, and the legal process continues for a long time. But in this case, the COFEPOSA Advisory Board has adopted a very strict stance. The board has clarified that Ranya Rao and other convicts cannot even apply for bail during the period of their sentence. This directly means that Ranya Rao will have to stay in jail for one year.
