The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has imposed a penalty of ₹102 crore on Kannada actress Ranya Rao in connection with a major gold smuggling case. Three others involved in the case have also been fined over ₹50 crore each.
According to officials, the 2,500-page penalty notice was served to Rao and the others inside Bengaluru Central Jail on Tuesday. They have been warned that failure to pay the fines could lead to the attachment of their properties.
The Case
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after being caught with 14.8 kg of gold on her arrival from Dubai. Investigations revealed she had made 52 trips to Dubai between 2023 and early 2025 and allegedly used police escorts to bypass customs checks.
During searches, the DRI also seized gold jewellery worth ₹2 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore from her residence.
The case gained prominence due to her stepfather, senior IPS officer Dr. K Ramachandra Rao, who was sent on leave after the scandal broke. He was later reinstated.
Allegations of Mistreatment
Rao has accused the DRI of subjecting her to harsh treatment during custody, including being slapped multiple times, denied food and sleep, and coerced into signing documents, some of which she claimed were blank pages.
Family Under Scrutiny
Following her arrest, attention also turned to her husband, Jatin Hukkeri. He sought legal protection by arguing that the couple had separated just a month after their marriage in December 2024. The Karnataka High Court has granted him temporary relief from arrest until the next hearing.
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