Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in High-Profile Gold Smuggling Case

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has ramped up its investigation into the high-profile gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is stepping up its investigation into the case of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was caught smuggling 14.2 kg of gold at Bengaluru International Airport on March 24.

According to reports by The News Minute, the special investigation team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) may soon summon Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao in connection with its probe into the protocol services at Bengaluru International Airport.

The report further stated that the SIT is also scrutinizing possible links between K Rushab, the brother of actress Ranya Rao, and notorious international hacker Srikrishna, alias Sriki, who is a key figure in an ongoing Bitcoin scam probe led by the SIT.

The DRI officials are continuing to interrogate Tarun K Raju, a close associate of actress Ranya, who has been in their custody for five days. Investigators are attempting to trace the source of funds used to purchase the gold in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Jatin Hukkeri, husband of the actress, has obtained an interim order from the Karnataka High Court shielding him from immediate arrest. However, if authorities find incriminating evidence against him, he may still be taken into

Actors Ranya's father, Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from his daughter's legal troubles.

The report stated that on landing in India, actress Ranya tried to use her father's position to secure an official escort home. Investigators are examining whether law enforcement personnel knowingly or unknowingly aided her in the smuggling operation.

Reacting to the situation, her father has distanced himself from her legal troubles.

According to reports, actress Ranya lost contact with the family after marrying architect Jatin Hukkeri four months ago.

Expressing his disappointment, he said, "She has let us down. If she has done anything wrong, the law will take its course."

The actress, who was born in Chikmagalur, Karnataka, pursued an engineering degree at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering before entering the film industry.

She made her debut in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, followed by the Tamil film Wagah (2016), and later returned to Kannada cinema with Pataki (2017).

However, her film career has now been overshadowed by her alleged involvement in gold smuggling.

As the investigation progresses, both the DRI and SIT are expected to widen their probe, potentially leading to further arrests.

Financial transactions, Bitcoin links, and high-profile connections are also under scrutiny as authorities remain determined to uncover the full extent of the smuggling operation.

The case is developing rapidly, and more revelations are anticipated in the coming days.