Who is backing Ranya Rao? Investigators flag national security concerns in gold smuggling case

Ranya Rao

Several questions and possibilities have been raised regarding a potential wider network behind Kannada star Ranya Rao's arrest at Bengaluru airport for smuggling gold. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is currently investigating whether a smuggling syndicate was engaged and whether she had accomplices.

The DRI has requested her custody for additional questioning, citing it as a national security issue. Aside from this, there are still a lot of questions: Who is backing Ranya? Is she part of a bigger syndicate? The public prosecutor contended that a thorough investigation is required and asked the court to give her custody for three days starting on March 9.

Authorities are currently examining Ranya's extensive overseas travel after her arrest for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold. Ranya, daughter of DGP (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, visited Dubai 27 times and travelled to more than 45 countries, according to the DRI.

Designer gold ornaments valued at Rs 2.1 crore and cash worth Rs 2.7 crore were found during a raid on her posh Bengaluru flat on Lavelle Road, bringing the case's total seizure to Rs 17.3 crore. According to a TOI report, the jewellery was allegedly acquired under instructions from a prominent politician, though officials have not disclosed any names. Reports suggest the ornaments were sourced from a high-end designer store in the city.

The judge remanded Ranya to judicial custody until March 18 after she was arrested and brought before a special financial offences court on March 4. Her lawyers sought bail, arguing that she was presented before a judge late at night without DRI requesting custody. The agency, however, strongly opposed her release, citing the necessity of determining the gold's provenance, modes of payment, and potential connections to a wider smuggling network.