Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 8: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, also known as Harshavardini Ranya, admitted to smuggling 17 gold bars in her statement to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) following her arrest at the Kempegowda International Airport on March 4. She claimed to be a freelancer in Dubai's real estate sector and requested DRI officials to maintain the incident's confidentiality.
The statement, recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962, does not mention her stepfather, Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao. The document, signed by senior intelligence officers M Chokkalingam, Neha Kumari, and Nageshwara Rao Kadiri, is in a question-and-answer format and confirms the recovery of 17 gold bars from her possession.
Ranya disclosed that she had travelled to Europe, America, and the Middle East, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia. She expressed fatigue and requested to continue the statement process the following day. She also acknowledged understanding the legal implications of providing false or misleading information under the Customs Act.
Describing her background, Ranya stated she was raised in Bengaluru as the daughter of a real estate businessman. She has completed her 12th grade, worked as a film and theatre artiste, and is also a wildlife photographer. She is married to architect Jatin Hukkeri.
The actress admitted to the seizure of 17 gold bars during the mahazar proceedings at the airport and reiterated her request for privacy. She confirmed her willingness to cooperate with the investigation and mentioned that her statement was made voluntarily and without coercion.
On Friday, a Bengaluru court ordered her custody to the DRI and deferred her bail plea. She is currently in judicial custody. The DRI seized 14.8 kg of gold worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her residence on Lavelle Road, where she reportedly paid Rs 4.5 lac in rent.
Reacting to his stepdaughter’s arrest, DGP K Ramachandra Rao expressed his shock and devastation. Ranya is the first daughter of his second wife, and the development has left him blindsided.