Bengaluru, India – Kannada actress Ranya Rao has denied any involvement in a gold smuggling racket after being arrested at Kempegowda International Airport with nearly 15kg of gold worth ₹12 crore (approx. RO533,000) strapped to her body.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) detained Rao on March 04, 2025, suspecting her role in an international smuggling syndicate. However, during questioning, she reportedly broke down and insisted she was ‘trapped’ into the act.

“I keep thinking why I got into this. My mind keeps going back to that day at the airport. I cannot sleep. I am suffering mental trauma,” she reportedly told her lawyers while being produced in court on Friday.

Authorities are now investigating her claims and seeking to determine if she was coerced into the smuggling attempt. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also been brought in to probe potential links to a broader international network.

Further inquiries revealed that Rao had travelled to Dubai around 30 times in recent months, heightening suspicions of deeper involvement. The DRI is currently working to uncover any connections to a female-led smuggling syndicate.

Ranya Rao, originally from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, made her acting debut in the 2014 Kannada film ‘Maanikya’ and has since starred in several South Indian films. Her stepfather, senior Karnataka IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the controversy, stating he has “no knowledge” of her activities.

Rao remains in DRI custody until March 10, while investigations continue.