Kannada actress Ranya Rao, known for her roles in films like ‘Maanikya’ and ‘Pataki’, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. She is accused of attempting to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold into India from Dubai.
Ranya is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP), Dr. K Ramachandra Rao. In response to her arrest, DGP Rao expressed shock and disappointment, stating that he had no knowledge of her activities. He mentioned that Ranya married four months ago and had not been in contact since, adding, “We are unaware of her or her husband’s business dealings. This has come as a huge shock and disappointment. The law will take its course.”
The DRI had received a tip-off regarding Ranya’s alleged involvement in gold smuggling, leading to her apprehension upon arrival from Dubai. Following her arrest, she was produced before a special court for financial offences on March 4, 2025, and has been remanded to judicial custody until March 18, 2025. During questioning, Ranya claimed her visit to Dubai was for business purposes; however, DRI officials allege she was carrying a substantial amount of gold intended for smuggling into India.
Congress MLA and Legal Advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, commented on the arrest, asserting that Ranya would be treated like any other accused individual. He stated, “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.”
Originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Ranya pursued engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before entering the film industry.
