Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 6– The bail application of actress Ranya Rao, arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case, is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday at the 24th ACMM court in Bengaluru.
Ranya, known for her roles in popular Kannada films like Maanikya and Pataki, was detained earlier this week by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) upon her return from Dubai on March 3, 2025. Authorities had received a tip-off regarding her involvement in smuggling gold into India, leading DRI officials to station a team at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to intercept her. She was arrested immediately after landing.
According to the DRI, Ranya was allegedly carrying 14.8 kilograms of gold, which she intended to smuggle into the country. Following her arrest, Ranya’s stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police (DGP) for the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, expressed his shock and distress. Rao stated, “I was shocked and devastated when such an incident came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things. Like any other father, I was also shocked. She is not living with us; she is living separately with her husband, and there must be some problem between them due to some family issues.”
Rao also reassured the public, emphasizing that there was no “black mark” on his career and that he had no knowledge of his stepdaughter’s alleged illegal activities.
Ranya’s arrest has sparked widespread public and political debate. Congress MLA and Legal Advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, made it clear that the law would take its course, regardless of Ranya’s connections. “She has been accused of smuggling, and the law will take its course—whether she is the daughter of the DGP, the Chief Minister, or the Prime Minister. If any official nexus is involved, the investigation will reveal it,” Ponnanna said to the media.
Ranya was produced before a special court for financial offences on March 4 and was remanded to judicial custody until March 18, 2025. She also underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru before being transferred to custody. During her questioning, Ranya reportedly stated that her trip to Dubai was for business purposes, though authorities allege that it was related to the illegal gold smuggling operation.