Ranya Rao Claims Innocence in Gold Smuggling, Alleges Coercion

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, denies involvement in gold smuggling, claiming she was trapped. During DRI questioning, she expressed distress, stating she suffers from mental trauma. Authorities are investigating whether she was coerced by someone close to her. Rao was arrested with gold worth ₹12 crore, and her stepfather, a senior IPS officer, has distanced himself from her actions.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, asserts her innocence in a gold smuggling case, claiming she was “trapped.” During an interrogation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), she became emotional but maintained that she did not participate in any smuggling operation. Reports indicate that she was caught with 17 gold bars, which she admitted to in her official DRI statement.

Rao expressed her distress, stating that she has been unable to sleep and is experiencing significant mental trauma since the incident. She reportedly told her lawyers, “I keep thinking why did I get into it. My mind keeps going back to the day at the airport. I cannot sleep. I am having mental trauma.” Authorities are questioning her about the individuals who may have coerced her into smuggling and the circumstances leading to her alleged involvement.

The situation echoes a prior incident involving a software employee’s wife caught smuggling gold, who later claimed to have been blackmailed. Investigators suspect that someone close to Rao might be linked to her smuggling activities. On Monday, Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru with gold bars valued at ₹12 crore concealed in a hidden belt, and cash and jewelry worth crores were seized from her residence.

Rao, the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, faces further scrutiny as he has distanced himself from her situation, emphasizing a lack of knowledge regarding her actions. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a case against international drug traffickers connected to this smuggling operation.

Ranya Rao claims innocence in a serious gold smuggling case, alleging coercion and emotional distress. Despite her admission of possession of gold bars, she seeks to explain her situation, reflecting on mental trauma and potential blackmail from close associates. The investigations continue as authorities search for links that may clarify her involvement and the broader context of the case.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com