Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.2 kilograms of gold worth ₹12.5 crore from Dubai, has accused Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials of custodial torture.
In a letter dated March 6, addressed to the Additional Director General of the DRI in Bengaluru, Rao claimed that upon her detention, she was physically assaulted, slapped 10 to 15 times, and coerced into signing both typed and blank documents under duress. She further alleged being denied food and sleep during her detention period.
Rao also stated that DRI officers threatened to expose her father’s identity if she refused to comply. Her stepfather, senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, has been placed on compulsory leave amid the ongoing investigation.
The Karnataka government has initiated a high-level probe into the possible misuse of protocol privileges at the Bengaluru airport and any involvement of her stepfather in the alleged smuggling activities. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also examining the case for links to a broader international smuggling syndicate that may be using high-profile individuals as carriers.
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Rao’s bail application was recently rejected by a Bengaluru Special Court for Economic Offences, with the DRI arguing that her release could hinder the ongoing investigation and potentially lead to tampering with evidence or witnesses.
The allegations of custodial torture have raised concerns about the treatment of individuals in custody and the methods employed during interrogations. As the investigation unfolds, authorities face increasing scrutiny over their conduct and the legal proceedings in this high-profile case.
