Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was caught smuggling gold from Dubai at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, was presented in court on Monday. During the hearing, she allegedly accused Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials of verbally abusing her whenever she refused to answer their questions- Reports India Today.
Two days ago, images of her bruised face went viral, sparking speculation about possible physical assault in DRI custody. However, inside the Special Court for Economic Offences today, she reportedly admitted that while no one physically harmed her, the investigating officers had verbally abused her.
A Special Court for Economic Offences granted the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) custody of actor Ranya Rao until March 10 following her arrest in a high-profile gold smuggling case. She was presented before Justice Vishwanath C. Gowdar, who approved the agency’s request for custody until Monday.
Ranya Rao Arrest And Probe
Kannada film actor Ranya Rao, was arrested on March 3 at the Bengaluru International Airport while allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold on her person while returning from a visit to Dubai- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) indicated before a special court in the process of obtaining her custody indicated that Ranya’s case was part of a syndicate.
DRI authorities recovered 17 gold bars from her possession. During questioning, she disclosed details of her frequent international travels, stating, “I have traveled to Europe, America, and the Middle East, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia.” She also admitted to making multiple foreign trips in recent days but refrained from providing further details at the time, citing exhaustion and the need for rest.
Ranya Rao’s Firm Promised To Invest Rs 138 Crore
A company associated with Kannada actor Ranya Rao—who was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold—had been allotted 12 acres of industrial land by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in 2023.
According to reports, in January 2023, during the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, Ksiroda Pvt Ltd, a company where Ranya and her brother Rushab serve as directors, received approval for the land. The company had pledged an investment of ₹138 crore to establish a steel TMT bar manufacturing unit.
