Gold smuggling case: Kannada actress Ranya Rao's stepfather DGP Ramachandra Rao distances himself from case; says 'reputation has been tarnished'

Following Ranya Rao's alleged involvement in a high-profile gold smuggling case, her stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer and Chairman of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, has publicly distanced himself. Ranya, a Kannada actress, was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, 2025, with 14.8 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore concealed on her person.
In a press statement, DGP Ramachandra Rao expressed deep distress and shock over the incident. He stated that his reputation and his family's future have been irreparably tarnished by these events.

"It is deeply distressing that, despite this lifelong dedication, my reputation and family's future are now being tarnished by something beyond our control, I understand that in speculative times like these, my years of hard work may be unfairly associated with these events," he said.
He further said, "I ask all of you to recognise that I too am a grieving parent. I had no knowledge of such an unimaginable situation unfolding in my life. I respectfully ask from everyone, fairness towards both myself and my family."
Earlier, Rao clarified that Ranya Rao had been living separately with her husband since their marriage four months ago and that he had no knowledge of her alleged activities.
Read more: Ranya Rao gold smuggling case live updates
She married Jatin Hukkeri, an architect specializing in hospitality design. Ranya Rao married Jatin in a lavish ceremony at the Taj West End just a few months ago. Jatin holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from R.V. College of Engineering in Bengaluru and further refined his skills at the Royal College of Art in London, specializing in Architecture and Interior Design. His expertise spans various areas, including architectural interiors, custom designs, and recreational spaces.

Ranya's stepfather assured that if any laws were violated, legal action would be taken.
Ranya Rao's arrest came after she made 30 trips to Dubai in the past year, raising suspicions about her involvement in an organized smuggling network. Authorities seized gold jewellery valued at Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her residence, bringing the total seized assets to Rs 17.29 crore.

The investigation has revealed that Ranya Rao used modified jackets and waist belts to evade airport security checks. Authorities suspect she may have had assistance from a police constable at the airport, who helped her bypass security procedures. The DRI is probing whether she was part of a larger network involving influential figures from various sectors.
As per the latest NDTV report, in her first official statement to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Ranya Rao admitted that 17 gold bars were recovered from her possession. She revealed that she had traveled extensively to Dubai, Europe, America, and the Middle East, raising suspicions about her involvement in an organized smuggling network. Ranya claimed her frequent visits to Dubai were for business purposes, but authorities suspect she was actively involved in smuggling gold on each trip.
Speaking of her acting profession, Ranya Rao made her debut with the Kannada film 'Maanikya', starring Sudeep. She played the role of Manasa, a young woman from a wealthy family and Sudeep’s love interest. Although her performance received mixed reviews, it marked the beginning of her promising career in cinema.
Following her debut, Ranya ventured into Tamil cinema with 'Wagah', where she starred opposite Vikram Prabhu as the female lead. In 2017, she returned to Kannada cinema with the comedy film 'Pataki', playing the role of Sangeetha, a journalist and the love interest of Ganesh’s character.