‘Whether she is DGP’s, CM’s or PMs daughter, law same for all’: Karnataka CM legal advisor on Ranya Rao’s arrest for alleged gold smuggling | India News

NEW DELHI: Following the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao within the alleged gold smuggling case, Karnataka authorities asserted that the law applies equally to everybody.
“She is an accused for indulging in smuggling. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP’s, the CM’s or the prime minister’s daughter…If there is any official nexus involved in this, it will come out in the investigation,” Karnataka chief minister’s legal adviser AS Ponnanna stated.
Also learn: ‘Investigation is ongoing, let DRI full its probe,’ says Karnataka house minister on actress Ranya Rao’s arrest
Rao’s arrest follows allegations of her involvement in smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai to India.
She is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) Ok Ramachandra Rao and was detained by DRI officers at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) after arriving on an Emirates flight from Dubai. Acting on a tip-off about her suspected involvement in gold smuggling, authorities had stationed a workforce on the airport in anticipation of her arrival.
Also learn: Gold price Rs 12.56 crore seized from actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru Airport
After her flight landed, Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and brought into custody. On March 4, 2025, she was offered earlier than a particular courtroom for monetary offenses, which remanded her to judicial custody till March 18. Before her switch, she underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru.
During interrogation, Ranya claimed she had traveled to Dubai for enterprise functions, however DRI officers allege she was smuggling a big amount of gold into India.
The DRI stated that Ranya Rao was present in possession of 14.8 kilograms of gold. She stays in judicial custody because the investigation into the case continues.