Gold Smuggling Case: New details have emerged in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who now claims she was mistreated while in custody. Ranya, who was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs 12.56 crore, has accused officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of physical assault, starvation, and coercion as reported by India Today.
In a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of the DRI, Ranya stated that she was forcefully taken into custody directly from the aircraft, contrary to the official claim that she was arrested inside the airport terminal as per NDTV. She further alleged that she was slapped multiple times, denied food and sleep, and compelled to sign blank pages under extreme pressure.
"From the moment I was taken into custody until I was presented in court, I was physically assaulted, slapped nearly 10 to 15 times by officers I can identify. Despite this, I initially refused to sign the documents they prepared," Ranya wrote in her complaint.
Recommended For You
However, she claimed that after prolonged pressure, she was forced to sign around 50–60 typed pages and approximately 40 blank white pages.
Allegations of Abuse and Coercion
In a letter to the Additional Director General of the DRI, Ranya insisted on her innocence, asserting that she had been wrongfully implicated. She was arrested at Bengaluru Airport with gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore hidden in a concealed waist belt. In her letter, which was sent via the Parappana Agrahara prison superintendent, she reiterated that she was apprehended while still onboard the aircraft and was denied a chance to present her side of the story.
Claims of Being Slapped and Forced to Sign Documents
The actor alleged that despite enduring repeated physical assaults, she initially resisted signing the statements prepared by the DRI. However, she was ultimately compelled to sign around 50–60 typed pages and 40 blank sheets under extreme duress.
"From the moment I was detained until I appeared in court, I was physically assaulted—slapped 10–15 times by officers I can identify. Despite this, I refused to sign their statements," she stated, as per India Today. "Under immense pressure and physical assault, I was forced to sign 50–60 typed pages and approximately 40 blank pages prepared by the DRI officers," her letter further detailed.
Days after her arrest, an image of Ranya in custody circulated widely, showing her looking distressed with dark patches under her eyes. Her claims surfaced a day after a Bengaluru special court denied her bail in a case that has seen numerous twists and turns. She was held in DRI custody for three days before being placed under judicial custody for 15 days.
Claims of Sleep and Food Deprivation
Ranya also alleged that a DRI officer threatened to reveal her father's identity if she did not comply, though she maintained that he had no involvement in the case. She further claimed that she was deliberately denied food and sleep from 6:45 PM on March 3 until 7:50 PM on March 4.
Questioning the validity of the case, Ranya stated that no gold was recovered from her possession. The actor, known for her roles in three films, alleged that individuals from Delhi, impersonating officials, framed her to shield other suspects, India Today reported.
However, contradictions in her statements have deepened the mystery. In an official statement to the DRI on March 7, Ranya reportedly admitted to smuggling and acknowledged that 17 gold bars were recovered from her. Yet, on March 10, during a court appearance, she emotionally accused DRI officials of verbally abusing her whenever she hesitated to answer their questions. Contradicting her earlier claims, she stated in court, "They didn’t hit me, but they verbally abused me badly. This has caused me severe mental distress."
ALSO READ: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Denied Bail in Gold Smuggling Case, Court Cites 'Seriousness Of Charges'
Expanding Probe into Smuggling Network
The DRI estimates customs duty evasion and penalties in this case to be Rs 4.83 crore, well beyond the Rs 50 lakh threshold set under the Customs Act. Initially, Karnataka authorities ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into potential protocol violations at the airport. However, the order was revoked within 24 hours, raising concerns about political influence. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara justified the withdrawal, stating that the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) was already handling the matter, making a separate police investigation unnecessary.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested by DRI for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai, brought to a special court hearing cases of economic offences pic.twitter.com/7w3E38qYwV
— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2025
Following a complaint from the DRI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched an independent inquiry into the possible involvement of unidentified public officials in facilitating the smuggling operation.
On March 6, shortly after Ranya’s arrest, authorities intercepted two foreign nationals, one from Oman and the other from the UAE attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold through Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Investigators suspect these incidents are linked to a larger gold smuggling syndicate operating out of Dubai.
"The involvement of unknown public servants of the Government of India, along with other individuals, in this organized network needs to be thoroughly investigated," the DRI stated.
Following Ranya’s arrest, authorities raided her residence, seizing gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now launched a money-laundering probe to trace the financial transactions associated with the case.