Rs12.56-crore gold seized from Kannada actress

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Wednesday said the gold bars seized from Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport were valued at Rs 12.56 crore. Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, a senior police official said.

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The DGP-rank officer is currently serving as a Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, he added. The total seizure in the case stood at Rs 17.29 crore, including assets worth Rs 4.73 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks. “The DRI officers intercepted an Indian woman, who had arrived from Dubai to Bengaluru on an Emirates flight on March 3,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said he cannot comment on the case of gold smuggling by the Kannada actress until the DRI completes the investigation.

“The investigation is ongoing. The DRI is handling the case, and until they provide definite information, I cannot comment. Let them complete their inquiry first. Internally, I have asked our department to look into it, and they will gather some information,” he said.

Distancing himself from the actress, her stepfather, Rao said the law would take its course. According to him, Ranya got married just four months ago and has not visited them since. Stating that he was unaware of Ranya and her husband's business dealings, he said the news came as a “huge shock and disappointment”.