Gold Smuggling Scandal: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Denied Bail, Remains in Custody for One Year
Kannada actress Ranya Rao denied bail in a gold smuggling case; she and her accomplices will remain in judicial custody for one year as the probe continues.
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Gold Smuggling Scandal: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Denied Bail, Remains in Custody for One Year
Bengaluru, July 2025 — In a shocking turn of events, popular Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been denied bail and ordered to remain in custody for at least one year in connection with a gold smuggling case. The ruling comes after a special court reviewed evidence presented by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), reportedly linking her directly to the illegal operation.
Ranya Rao was arrested earlier this year at an airport along with two of her close associates. Authorities seized a significant amount of undeclared gold from their possession, prompting a wider investigation into a suspected smuggling network operating between India and the Middle East.
The court, citing the seriousness of the offense and potential risk of witness tampering, rejected the bail plea despite her legal team arguing for leniency due to her clean criminal record and celebrity status.
Investigators allege that Ranya played an active role in facilitating the movement of smuggled gold. Digital evidence including flight logs, chat histories, and financial transactions reportedly point to her deeper involvement in the network than previously assumed.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the Kannada film industry, where Ranya had built a respectable career over the past few years. Several of her upcoming projects have now been paused indefinitely, and production houses are distancing themselves from the controversy.
Sources say the DRI is continuing its investigation, and more arrests could follow as they dig deeper into the operation. The next hearing in the case is scheduled later this year.
This high-profile case has raised new concerns about the involvement of public figures in organized crime, and many are now calling for stricter regulations and background checks in the entertainment industry.
