Kannada Actor & DGP’s Daughter Held at Kempegowda International Airport with 14 kg Gold in Belt | India News
Shocking Gold Smuggling Racket Uncovered at Bengaluru Airport
In a stunning development, Ranya Rao, the 32-year-old daughter of Ramachandra Rao, the director general of police (Police Housing Corporation), was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday night. The twist? She was caught with 14 kg of gold bars concealed in a belt strapped to her body, along with 800 grams of gold ornaments.
Mystery Surrounds the Actress’s Frequent Foreign Trips
Ranya, who has acted in a few Kannada movies, including the Sudeep-starrer Maanikya and Ganesh-starrer Pataki, as well as the Tamil movie Wagah, starring Vikram Prabhu, had been making frequent trips to the Gulf, reportedly making over 10 trips since the beginning of the year. Investigators suspect she is part of a gold smuggling racket that has been operating through Bengaluru airport for the past few months.
How the Actress Outsmarted the Authorities
According to sources, Ranya came under DRI’s radar due to her suspicious behavior. When she boarded an Emirates flight from Dubai to Bengaluru, a DRI team was dispatched to intercept her upon arrival. It was shocking to see how she had concealed the gold bars in the belt, looking very confident as she disembarked without raising any suspicion. Authorities believe she may have used the protocol services typically used by senior bureaucrats, including IPS officers, to evade detection.
The Shocking Arrest
The four-member DRI team reviewed footage of Ranya’s recent arrivals in the city and discovered that she had been using a similar protocol officer to escort her out of the airport, allowing her to evade physical frisking. In fact, a government vehicle would even pick her up from the airport, ensuring no trouble en route to her destination. This is not the first time the authorities have encountered such a situation; in 2014, a similar incident involving a police team and a large sum of money was reported.
The Father’s Statement
When contacted, DGP K Ramachandra Rao distanced himself from his daughter’s activities. "Four months ago Ranya married Jatin Hukkeri, an architect specializing in designing interior spaces for upscale pubs and microbreweries in the city. She hasn’t visited us since the wedding. We’re completely unaware of her or her husband’s business dealings. This has come as a huge shock and disappointment. She has let us down. If there is any violation, the law will take its course," Rao told TOI.
The Investigation
The DRI is investigating Ranya’s activities, including determining whether she smuggled gold on all her previous trips, and the total quantity she brought in. The agency is also reviewing footage of her recent arrivals, as well as her previous trips, to uncover the extent of the smuggling racket.
Gold Smuggling: A Growing Concern
This incident highlights the growing concern of gold smuggling in the country. The government and law enforcement agencies are working to combat this menace, which not only affects the economy but also compromises national security. The latest arrest is a significant step towards curbing this menace, and we will continue to monitor this developing story to keep you updated on the investigation’s progress.
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