Ranya Rao gold smuggling case live: Special court sends the actress to DRI custody for three days

Kannada actress Ranya Rao’s arrest at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3 has sent shockwaves through the industry, as she was caught smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.86 crore. Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had prior intelligence about her arrival from Dubai and intercepted her at the airport. Upon conducting a physical examination, they found 14 gold bars strapped to her thighs using tape and bandages, a method she allegedly used to bypass Customs checks.While earlier reports speculated that the gold was concealed in a jacket she was wearing, the DRI confirmed that the contraband was found directly on her body. The case has taken an intriguing turn as Rao, 33, is the stepdaughter of a senior DGP-rank IPS officer in Karnataka, raising questions about potential high-level links in the smuggling network.Authorities are now investigating whether Rao was acting as a carrier for a larger syndicate or had personal involvement in the operation. Her arrest highlights the increasing use of creative smuggling tactics and the need for heightened airport security measures. The case continues to develop, with officials probing deeper into the network behind the smuggled gold and its intended recipients.