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Gold Smuggling Case: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Moves Sessions Court For Bail

Kannada actress Ranya Rao, arrested last week in connection with a gold smuggling case, has approached the Sessions Court in Bengaluru seeking bail.

This move follows a denial of bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences.

Details Of Ranya Rao’s Arrest

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai into India. The gold was reportedly concealed in her luggage, leading to her arrest.

The Special Court for Economic Offences, while denying bail, cited the seriousness of the charges against the actress. The CBI has registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the case based on a complaint filed by Abhishek Chandra Gupta, the Additional Director of the DRI. The FIR includes charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS).

Alleged Gold Smuggling Syndicate

The complaint filed by Abhishek Chandra Gupta highlights that after Ranya Rao’s arrest, two foreign nationals were detained on March 6 at Mumbai airport for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kilograms of gold worth Rs. 18.92 crores into India. This has raised suspicions of a coordinated smuggling syndicate possibly operating out of Dubai (UAE).

Gupta’s complaint suggests that Ranya Rao had traveled to Dubai multiple times, and the two foreign nationals arrested in Mumbai had also made frequent trips between Dubai and India. This pattern of smuggling attempts and high-frequency visits points to the possibility of a larger smuggling operation. The authorities are investigating a potential nexus between these events and the involvement of public servants or other accomplices.

Investigation

The investigation has raised concerns about a coordinated smuggling network, possibly with international connections. Gupta’s complaint specifically mentions the need to probe the involvement of unknown public servants and others who might be linked to the syndicate. The DRI is now examining the larger scope of this operation, with both national and international implications.

Authorities are focusing on uncovering the full extent of the smuggling syndicate, which may involve several key players, both in India and abroad. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as more information comes to light.

As the legal process unfolds, Ranya Rao’s bail application will be considered by the Sessions Court in Bengaluru, with the actress currently facing serious charges related to the smuggling operation.