'Top political leader behind actress Ranya Rao'; Police ramp up investigation in gold smuggling case

BENGALURU: Amid a huge stir over the arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao in a gold smuggling case, the investigation is heading toward a prominent political leader. National media reported, quoting investigating officers, that Ranya purchased gold ornaments worth around Rs. 20 million on the instructions of a political leader. The police investigation reached the political leader after gold ornaments worth Rs 2.1 crore and Rs 2.7 crore were found in the actress's residence. However, the investigating officers have not released the identity of the political leader. An investigation is also underway centered around a jewelry store.

The DRI team searched the actress's house in Bengaluru after she was arrested for gold smuggling the other day. Ranya was caught at the Bengaluru airport on Monday while trying to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.86 crore from Dubai. She was trying to smuggle gold bars hidden inside her belt. The team investigated the actress based on secret information and long-term surveillance.

The actress, arrested and produced in court, has been remanded in judicial custody till the 18th. The bail application will be considered today. Experts believe the court will hand over severe punishment to Ranya in the case.

Ranya's four consecutive trips to the Gulf in two weeks smelled foul with investigating officers. Ranya is the foster daughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao. Ranya used her father’s identity several times to wriggle out of airport security checks.

An engineering graduate, Ranya debuted with the Kannada film Maanikya, which was released in 2014. She has also acted in Tamil films, including Vaaga. She married a famous architect, Jatin, just three months ago.