NEW DELHI: Following the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao in the alleged gold smuggling case, Karnataka government asserted that the law applies equally to everyone.
“She is an accused for indulging in smuggling. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP’s, the CM’s or the prime minister’s daughter…If there is any official nexus involved in this, it will come out in the investigation,” Karnataka chief minister’s legal adviser AS Ponnanna said.
Also read: ‘Investigation is ongoing, let DRI complete its probe,’ says Karnataka home minister on actress Ranya Rao’s arrest
Rao’s arrest follows allegations of her involvement in smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai to India.
She is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao and was detained by DRI officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) after arriving on an Emirates flight from Dubai. Acting on a tip-off about her suspected involvement in gold smuggling, authorities had stationed a team at the airport in anticipation of her arrival.
Also read: Gold worth Rs 12.56 crore seized from actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru Airport
After her flight landed, Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and taken into custody. On March 4, 2025, she was presented before a special court for financial offenses, which remanded her to judicial custody until March 18. Before her transfer, she underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru.
During interrogation, Ranya claimed she had traveled to Dubai for business purposes, but DRI officials allege she was smuggling a significant quantity of gold into India.
The DRI said that Ranya Rao was found in possession of 14.8 kilograms of gold. She remains in judicial custody as the investigation into the case continues.