Ranya Rao (File Image)
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was detained at Bengaluru International Airport on the night of March 3 by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for trying to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold. DRI officials claimed that the 33-year-old actress, being the step-daughter of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation Director General Ramachandra Rao, was under their suspicion for quite a while. Based on a tip-off, the DRI arrested her upon her return from Dubai on an Emirates flight.
Police found that Ranya had hidden several gold bars inside the lining of her jacket. Sources said she had been kept under close observation by the police because she was seen traveling frequently with her husband, Jatin Hukkery, a well-known architect. Even though there was no apparent business or familial connection in Dubai, she had allegedly visited the city four times within 15 days.
Ranya is said to have smuggled gold by taping the metal onto her body and concealing it in her clothes. According to reports, she traveled at least 30 times to Dubai in the previous year, each time returning with substantial amounts of gold. She is also said to have used police escorts to avoid airport security screening on several occasions.
On March 3, Ranya tried to skip security with police constable Basavaraju, who was accompanying her. DRI officials caught her and took the gold consignment into custody on the spot. During her arrest, a raid at her Lavelle Road home found ₹2.06 crore of gold jewelry and ₹2.67 crore cash.
Ranya, who was questioned in connection with the incident, stated she was blackmailed to smuggle the gold. Constable Basavaraju has also been arrested on suspicion of his involvement. Investigators are probing whether Ranya acted independently or had accomplices to form a massive smuggling ring between Dubai and India.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara did not comment on the issue, saying investigations were in progress and more information will be made known in due time.
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