Actor Ranya Rao, best known for her debut in the 2014 Kannada film 'Maanikya', has come under the spotlight for her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling operation from Dubai.
Detained at Bengaluru airport on March 3, Rao was found with 14 kg of gold discreetly hidden in her clothing, raising suspicions of a broader smuggling syndicate.
Court documents opposing her bail reveal that Rao, stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, meticulously planned her smuggling attempt.
Allegedly, she learned how to conceal gold by watching YouTube tutorials. She claimed during interrogation that she was instructed via an internet call to pick up the gold at Dubai International Airport.
According to the documents, at the airport's dining lounge, Rao met a man described as six feet tall with a wheatish complexion and an American accent.
He handed over two packets wrapped in a thick tarpaulin-like material, containing the smuggled gold.
Rao demonstrated forethought by purchasing adhesive tape from a nearby store, pre-cutting the tape given the lack of scissors at the airport.
After receiving the gold, Rao proceeded to a washroom to conceal it. Following online tips, she wrapped the gold bars around her calves and waist using the tape and hid smaller pieces in her shoes and pockets.
Upon arriving in Bengaluru on an Emirates flight, she reportedly bypassed security with assistance from a protocol officer allegedly complicit in the racket, according to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The protocol officer, Basappa Billur, testified that he had been instructed by Ramachandra Rao, Ranya's stepfather, to provide protocol assistance for his family members, indicating prior connections.
Ranya Rao's frequent travels drew scrutiny, with the DRI noting 27 trips to Dubai in the last six months, including four within a mere 15-day window.
Her movements and subsequent apprehension have now led to widespread investigations, as authorities delve deeper into potential ties to a larger smuggling network.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating smuggling through airport protocols and the methods employed by those seeking to evade detection.