Fri Mar 07 04:39:08 UTC 2025: ## Kannada Actress Arrested in Massive Gold Smuggling Case
**Bengaluru, India –** Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested Monday night at Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14 kilograms of gold bars worth approximately Rs 14.56 crore (approximately $1.76 million USD), marking one of the largest gold seizures in the region recently. Ms. Rao has confessed to the crime, according to a statement obtained by NDTV.
In her confession to revenue officials, Ms. Rao admitted to possessing 17 gold bars. She detailed numerous international trips to the Middle East, America, Europe, and Dubai, including 27 trips to Dubai in the past year. She identified her father as real estate businessman KS Hegdesh and her husband as Bengaluru-based architect Jatin Hukkeri. Her stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, the Director-General of Police of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, has vehemently denied any involvement in the incident, expressing shock and devastation at the news. The investigation is ongoing.
First Piper 