BENGALURU, 6 March

The Bengaluru Economic Offences Court has reserved its verdict on Kannada actress Ranya Rao's bail plea after her arrest by customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for gold smuggling.

The court will announce its decision on Friday, as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seeks her custody for further investigation. Rao was intercepted at the airport on Monday, with customs officials seizing 14.8 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 12.56 crore concealed in her luggage. DRI officials suspect her involvement in an international smuggling syndicate, citing her 30 trips to Dubai over the past year.

A search of her Lavelle Road residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash totalling Rs 2.67 crore, bringing the total recoveries to over Rs 17.29 crore. DRI officials argue that Rao’s custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the larger network, which allegedly includes politicians, businessmen, and police officers.

Rao's legal team opposed further custody, calling it unnecessary. Sources say she broke down during questioning, claiming she was “trapped” into smuggling. Investigators are also questioning her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, who frequently travelled to Dubai.