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ÂGold Seized from Ranya Rao at Bengaluru Airport
Ranya Rao, daughter of a top police officer, was caught at Bengaluru airport on Monday evening after the authorities found she was carrying 14.8kg of gold. The gold, which was hidden in her clothes and draped around her body, was worth about Rs 12.56 crore, making it one of the biggest seizures of gold at the airport in recent times.
Senior Police Officer’s Response
Ramachandra Rao, Director-General of Police for the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, was shocked and heartbroken upon receiving word of the arrest of his stepdaughter. He dissociated himself from the arrest, saying that he did not know anything about her activities. “The law will take its course, and there is no blemish on my career,” he said to news agency ANI. He also added that, as any father would be, he was surprised by the news, which he came to know through the media, and made it clear that his stepdaughter was staying away with her husband.
Family Background of Ranya Rao
Ranya Rao is Ramachandra Rao’s stepdaughter. His first wife had died, and he then remarried, his second wife having two daughters from her earlier marriage, one of whom is Ranya.
The Smuggling Operation and Investigation
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao upon her return from Dubai on an Emirates flight. She had taken four trips to Dubai within a period of 15 days, and the authorities grew suspicious and kept a close watch on her activities. Early reports indicate that she took advantage of her acquaintance, presenting herself as the daughter of a Karnataka DGP, to bypass security checks and asked for an escort from local police.
Having cleared customs, Ranya Rao was on the verge of leaving the airport when she was stopped by DRI officials. She was searched and found to be carrying the massive consignment of gold concealed under her clothes.
