BENGALURU: A special court for economic offences in Bengaluru on Friday granted the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) three-day custody of Sandalwood actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested for allegedly smuggling over 14 kg of gold.
The order was issued by the Economic Offenses Court, presided over by Justice Vishwanath C. Gowdar.
The DRI, which uncovered a gold smuggling racket at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night, requested her custody from Thursday, citing concerns over a “threat to national security.”
On the same day, Ranya’s lawyers filed a bail plea, arguing that after her arrest, DRI officials presented her before a judge at his residence on Tuesday night but did not seek custody. As a result, she was initially placed under 14-day judicial custody.
They contended that since she is a Bengaluru resident and available for questioning, she should be granted bail.
However, the DRI opposed the request, insisting they needed to investigate the source of the gold bars, the method of payment, how she managed to smuggle the gold undetected, and her intended purpose for it.
Ranya, the daughter of Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, was apprehended upon arrival from Dubai with 14.8 kg of gold.
Further searches at her Lavelle Road residence led to the seizure of additional gold ornaments worth Rs 2.1 crore and Rs 2.7 crore in cash.
Who is Ranya Rao?
Ranya Rao, a native of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, pursued an engineering degree at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before transitioning into the film industry.
She made her cinematic debut in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, directed by and starring Sudeep, in which she portrayed a wealthy woman and the protagonist’s love interest.
Expanding her career, she ventured into Tamil cinema with Wagah (2016), starring opposite Vikram Prabhu. In 2017, she returned to Kannada films with Pataki, playing a journalist alongside actor Ganesh.
Visited Dubai four times in 15 days
Authorities grew suspicious when Ranya travelled to Dubai four times within a span of just 15 days. Based on this pattern, a DRI team intercepted her at the airport on Monday.
Despite appearing composed and displaying no signs of anxiety, a search uncovered gold bars concealed within a belt she was wearing, leading to her immediate arrest.
Ranya is the daughter of Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao. Reports indicate that after landing, she allegedly identified herself as the daughter of the state’s Director General of Police and contacted local officers in an attempt to arrange an official escort home.
Investigators are now examining whether any law enforcement personnel knowingly or unknowingly assisted her.
Her father, however, has distanced himself from her actions. He disclosed that Ranya had married Jatin Hukkeri, an architect specialising in pub and microbrewery designs, four months ago and had since lost contact with her family. Expressing his disappointment, he stated, “She has let us down. If she has done anything wrong, the law will take its course.”