Ranya Rao Faces Legal Action in Major Gold Smuggling Case
Enforcement Directorate Takes Action Against Ranya Rao
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated legal proceedings against actress Ranya Rao, linked to a significant gold smuggling and money laundering case. According to exclusive sources, the agency's investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), revealed the illegal importation of over 127 kilograms of gold, valued at more than Rs 102 crore, during the period from March 2024 to March 2025. Additionally, properties worth Rs 34.12 crore associated with the actress have been provisionally seized. This case follows her arrest by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Bengaluru airport earlier in 2025.
Details of the Gold Smuggling Operation
Sources have disclosed that Ranya Rao was allegedly part of a well-organized gold smuggling network that operated for a year. The ED's investigation indicates that approximately 127.287 kilograms of gold, valued at around Rs 102.55 crore, was smuggled into India within the specified timeframe. Investigators assert that the smuggled gold was distributed across the domestic market via a network of handlers and jewelers. The cash generated from these sales was reportedly funneled through hawala channels, both domestically and internationally. Authorities allege that the funds were obscured through multiple bank accounts and entities to disguise them as legitimate business activities. During the investigation, properties worth Rs 34.12 crore, registered under Harshavardini Ranya, were provisionally attached. The inquiry has revealed a systematic approach involving the procurement of gold from abroad, its illegal entry into India, and the laundering of the proceeds through various financial channels.
Ranya Rao: Background and Career
Born in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, Ranya Rao completed her schooling in Kodagu before moving to Bengaluru for higher education. Initially, she enrolled in an engineering program at Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering but left to pursue acting. She later honed her skills at the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting School in Mumbai. Ranya is the stepdaughter of K. Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer and Director-General of Police at the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
Ranya made her acting debut in the Kannada film Manikya (2014), starring alongside Kichcha Sudeep, which enjoyed a successful 100-day run in theaters. She subsequently took on the female lead role in the Tamil film Wagah (2016) with Vikram Prabhu and appeared in the Kannada film Pataki (2017) opposite Ganesh, establishing her presence in both Kannada and Tamil cinema.