Bengaluru, March 5 — The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday reported seizing 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The total seizure in the case, including gold jewelry and cash from her residence, stood at ₹17.29 crore.
Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, currently serving as Director-General of Police at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, a senior police officer told PTI.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the DRI acted on specific intelligence and intercepted Rao upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight on March 3.
“Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person,” the ministry stated. The contraband was seized under the Customs Act, 1962. Officials described it as one of the largest gold seizures at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
Following the airport seizure, DRI officers searched Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road, where she lives with her husband. The search led to the recovery of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
Rao was arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act and remanded to judicial custody. Authorities believe the seizure deals a significant blow to organized gold smuggling networks.
