Who is Ranya Rao? Indian actress arrested for alleged gold smuggling

India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Bangalore International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold.

The 32-year-old actress, known for her roles in South Indian cinema, was apprehended on Monday night upon her arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

14 kg of Gold Seized from the Actress

Authorities recovered a staggering 14 kilograms of gold biscuits from Ranya Rao’s possession. In addition to the concealed gold, she was also found wearing 800 grams of gold jewelry.

Ranya Rao, who has acted in several Kannada-language films, is the daughter of K. Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation). This connection has intensified media scrutiny surrounding her arrest.

Suspected Link to a Smuggling Racket

DRI officials suspect that Ranya Rao is linked to an organized gold smuggling network operating at Bangalore Airport. Investigators revealed that she had made four similar international trips in the last 15 days, allegedly smuggling jewelry hidden inside her belt.

The actress, who gained recognition for her performances in films such as ‘Manikya’ and ‘Pataki’, as well as the Tamil movie ‘Wagah’, now faces serious legal trouble that could put her career at risk.

Public Reaction & Google Search Trends

Following her arrest, search interest for ‘Ranya Rao’ surged dramatically, peaking on Wednesday morning. According to Indian media reports, the highest number of searches originated from Karnataka, followed by Kerala, Telangana, Goa, and Tamil Nadu.

Legal Consequences Loom for Ranya Rao

With mounting evidence and repeated travel records suggesting prior smuggling attempts, Ranya Rao’s chances of evading legal consequences appear slim. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as authorities delve deeper into the alleged gold smuggling racket