Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for attempting to smuggle 14 kilograms of gold. She had no purchase receipts or valid documentation, leading to further searches that uncovered substantial cash and jewelry. Authorities suspect her involvement in a larger smuggling operation, prompting a CID inquiry into police conduct and her step-father’s potential involvement.
On March 4, Kannada actor Ranya Rao was intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after authorities received intelligence regarding her gold smuggling attempt. Concealing 14 kilograms of gold on her person while passing through the green channel, she denied having any dutiable goods to declare to customs officials. However, she lacked a purchase receipt or proper documentation for the gold.
Upon examination, DRI officials discovered the gold bars were cleverly concealed using crepe bandages on her waist and legs, with additional gold hidden in her shoes and pockets. The seizure amounted to 14,213 grams of 24 karat gold, exceeding the permitted threshold under the Customs Act, 1962, which is valued at Rs 1 crore.
A subsequent search of her residence uncovered cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore and jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore, for which she provided no evidence of provenance. Records revealed that she had previously acquired gold in Dubai and misrepresented her travel intentions, leading customs officials to suspect ongoing smuggling activities.
Ranya Rao faces charges for duty evasion totaling Rs 4.83 crore, significantly above the permissible limit of Rs 50 lakhs. The investigation team believes that she may be linked to a larger smuggling syndicate, and her arrest was deemed necessary to prevent further offenses and evidence tampering.
In response to this case, the Karnataka government has initiated a CID investigation to examine potential police lapses and possible collusion related to Rao’s actions. The probe includes scrutiny of her step-father, DGP Ramachandra Rao, highlighting the case’s complexity and implications within law enforcement.
Ranya Rao’s arrest for gold smuggling underscores serious violations of customs regulations and potential links to a larger smuggling network. The dual investigations by Karnataka officials not only address her actions but also examine possible police misconduct, signaling a thorough approach toward addressing corruption and smuggling activities. The case raises questions about procedural integrity within the customs and law enforcement agencies involved.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
