Kannada film actor Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over ₹12 crore from Dubai.
Notably, Rao is the daughter of IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
According to airport sources, the actress came from an Emirates flight at on Monday night when she was held while passing through the immigration clearance section.
Rao had worn the gold and hidden it inside the clothing she was wearing too, they said.
Rao under surveillance because of her frequent visits to Dubai — multiple trips within a span of 15 days.
A source revealed that she would regularly seek police assistance at the airport, claiming to be the daughter of a DGP, and would be escorted out without checks.
Authorities are now probing whether or not her father or any law enforcement officers were assisting her.
Following her arrest, she is being interrogated.
Officials are investigating whether the actress is part of a larger gold smuggling syndicate operating between Dubai and India.
She has been produced before the 42nd Additional Sessions Court in the City.
"A case has been filed against her under different sections of the Customs Act and Customs officials have taken her into custody," said a top cop.
Customs department is yet to issue any official statement on the issue.
Hailing from Chikmagalur in Karnataka, Ranya, pursued engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before venturing into the film industry, reports suggest.
Follow us
