Actor Ranya Rao moves High Court for bail in Rs 14.56 crore gold smuggling case

Actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested last month in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case, has now approached the Karnataka High Court seeking bail. This comes after a sessions court rejected her plea on March 27.

According to ANI reports, the High Court is expected to take up her petition this or next week.
Ranya Rao, known for her debut in the 2014 film Maanikya, was arrested on March 3 after being caught smuggling gold bars weighing 14.2 kg, valued at ₹14.56 crore, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is handling the case, had flagged her movements after noticing that she had traveled to Dubai four times in just 15 days before her arrest.
A larger smuggling network involved
The case has taken a serious turn, with authorities suspecting a larger smuggling network. Investigators believe Rao was part of an organized gold smuggling operation, and they are now probing potential links to other individuals involved in the illicit trade.

In connection with the case, the DRI has also arrested Ballari-based gold dealer Sahil Jain, who is accused of assisting Rao in disposing of the smuggled gold and distributing the proceeds. Jain was taken into custody on March 27, the same day the sessions court denied Rao's bail plea.
Meanwhile, Ranya Rao remains in DRI custody as the investigation continues. Given her connections—she is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao—the case has garnered significant public and media attention. Officials are now scrutinizing financial transactions and potential links to other smuggling networks.
What next for Ranya?
With the High Court set to hear her bail plea soon, all eyes are on whether she will secure relief or remain behind bars as the investigation unfolds.