The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested Kannada actor Ranya Rao in connection with a ₹12.56 crore gold smuggling case. According to the DRI’s arrest memo, Ranya attempted to smuggle 14.2 kg of 24-karat gold into India, concealing it in her clothing, shoes, and pockets to evade customs duty. The DRI’s memo outlines that Ranya Rao was intercepted on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) in Bengaluru while arriving from Dubai on Emirates Flight EK 566. Although she denied carrying any dutiable goods while passing through the Green Channel, a metal detector flagged the presence of concealed items on her person. Upon a detailed search, DRI officials discovered that she had wrapped gold bars around her waist and calves using bandages and tissues. Additionally, more gold bars and cut pieces were found hidden in her shoes and front pockets. The seized gold was confirmed to be 24-karat and weighed 14.2 kg, valued at ₹12.56 crore. A government-approved valuer certified the purity and value, and the gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962 for being smuggled without fulfilling import conditions.
 

Following her arrest, DRI officials conducted a search at her Lavelle Road residence in Bengaluru, where her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, was present. The search resulted in the discovery of ₹2.67 crore in cash, additional jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore, and several incriminating documents. The investigation revealed that Ranya had previously purchased gold in Dubai and declared it for travel to Geneva, but instead diverted her journey to India, indicating a pattern of suspicious activity. She failed to provide a valid explanation for the source of the cash and jewellery found at her residence, further raising suspicions of her involvement in an organized smuggling network. According to the DRI memo, the confiscated gold far exceeded the ₹1 crore threshold under Section 104(6) of the Customs Act, making her offence cognizable and non-bailable. The memo also highlighted that had the gold been declared and legally imported, a 38.5% duty amounting to ₹4.83 crore would have been payable. Since the total duty evasion exceeded the ₹50 lakh threshold, the case was classified as a serious offence punishable under Sections 104(4) and 104(6) of the Customs Act, 1962.
 

The grounds for Ranya Rao’s arrest included multiple violations:

• She was found to have smuggled gold into India several times without declaration.
• The gold was deliberately concealed with bandages and tissues to evade customs duty.
• Ranya falsely claimed to have nothing to declare when questioned by customs officers.
• The total duty evasion amounted to ₹4.83 crore.
• Her travel history revealed multiple visits to Dubai, strengthening suspicions of her involvement in a smuggling syndicate.
• Her failure to explain the origin of the cash and jewellery found at her residence further intensified doubts regarding her financial activities.

Following these revelations, Senior Intelligence Officer Neha Kumari arrested Ranya Rao on March 4, 2025, at 4 pm. She was informed of her legal rights and given the opportunity to contact a relative. At her request, her husband was informed of her arrest. Notably, DRI officials observed visible injury marks beneath her eyes. When questioned about this, Ranya attributed the marks to an old head injury. With the investigation ongoing, authorities are exploring possible connections between Ranya Rao’s activities and larger international smuggling operations. The DRI continues to probe her financial records and past travel history to uncover additional links in the suspected gold smuggling network.