Ranya Rao, an actress and daughter of a senior officer of the Indian police, was nearly cleared through Airport Security at Bengaluru when officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence swooped in and seized gold worth Rs. 12 crore, which she was allegedly trying to smuggle.
The 33-year-old actress, Ranya Rao who debuted with the 2014 Kannada movie Maanikya was returning from Dubai on Monday via an Emirates flight. It is said that the smuggled gold was concealed in briefcases carried by two of her companions. They were near the exit of the Kempegowda airport almost getting through security when the DRI team, which had reliable information about the alleged smuggling effort, intercepted her and commenced a search.
“Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at Rs. 12.56 crore was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962,” was the statement given out by the DRI.
The search then continued to her house on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru and more gold was discovered there. “Following the interception, DRI officers conducted a search at her residential premises located at Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewelry worth Rs. 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs. 2.67 crore,” stated DRI.
“The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and remanded to judicial custody. The total seizure in the case stands at Rs. 17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks,” said the agency.
The agency has also remarked that the Ilo gold haul weighing 14.2 kg happens to be “one of the biggest seizures of gold” at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
Reports have it that Ranya Rao had been recently making frequent short trips to Gulf countries, which eventually attracted the attention of the DRI.
Ranya Rao is a stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer. The officer’s first wife died, and he remarried a woman with whom he had two daughters from her first marriage. Ranya is one of them.
Ranya Rao Arrest – “No Black Mark On My Career”: IPS Officer Says Shocked At Daughter’s Arrest
Unbelievably, Ranya Rao was arrested at the Bengaluru airport Monday night after 14.8 kgs of gold were found in her possession. According to reports, the senior police officer, who is supposedly her father, is in shock over the occurrence and has stated that he wishes not to be involved in this matter.
“The arm of the law will deal with this case while I remain unblemished,” he told ANI.
Ramachandra Rao, Director-General of Police in the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, said: “Like a normal father, I was shocked and devastated when I came to learn about it from the media.” I was unaware of these events, and I do not wish to add anything.”
“She does not live with us; she has been living separately with her husband. There must be some trouble between them, which could be due to some family issues,” the DGP said.
Ms Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of Mr Rao. When the officer’s wife died, he married a second time; his second wife has two daughters from her previous marriage, one of whom is Ms Rao.
On Monday, the DRI arrested Ranya Rao after she arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight. Source said the arresting officers found her trying to smuggle gold into the country by wearing a significant amount and hiding the rest in her clothing.
Others also reported that two aides were seen carrying gold bars in briefcases.
Initial inquiries suggest she somehow used her influence to avoid security. The reports say she introduced herself as the daughter of a Karnataka DGP and called for some local cops to escort her.
However, forewarning had been established against Ms Ranya Rao, who had been under surveillance for some time; four trips to Dubai within a 15-day timeframe were very suspicious. And after this last trip, they sprung their trap.
Upon almost clearing customs to leave the airport, the DRI team arrested her and started a search. The seizure of nearly 15 kg of gold has been estimated to be worth Rs 12.56 crore, one of the largest to hit Bengaluru airport in recent years.
And yet, more was in store for her.
Officials then raided the residence she shared with her husband on Lavelle Road in Bengaluru, discovering gold jewelry valued at Rs 2.06 crore and cash worth Rs 2.67 crore.
“The passenger has been placed under arrest under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, and remanded to judicial custody. The total amount involved in the case stands at Rs. 17.29 crore, inflicting a big blow to organized gold smuggling networks,” said a release from DRI.
The investigation will uncover possible links with cops, among others, that could have facilitated her action. They would also like to find out whether she was acting alone or as part of a well-organized cloak and dagger network.
Ms. Rao, an actress who starred opposite Kannada film star Sudeep in Maanikya, released in 2014, is now being interrogated at the DRI’s office in the city.
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