BENGALURU, 4 MARCH

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has detained Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after seizing 14.8 kg of gold from her possession late on Monday night. Rao, who arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai, had been under DRI surveillance due to her frequent travels to the city in recent weeks.

Officials reported that she wore a substantial amount of the gold as jewellery to evade detection, while also concealing gold bars within her clothing. Initial investigations indicated that she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of the state's Director General of Police (DGP) and called local police for a pick-up service unaware of her activities.

DRI officials are now examining potential connections between the actress and a larger gold smuggling network, as well as the involvement of her IPS relative or police personnel in her activities. Following her detention, Rao was questioned before being presented in court on Tuesday.