Ranya Rao Claims Innocence Amid Gold Smuggling Allegations

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, claims she is innocent of gold smuggling, stating she was ‘trapped’. During questioning by DRI, she expressed intense emotional distress regarding her involvement. Her statements contradict an earlier admission of possession of gold bars. Authorities are investigating who may have influenced her actions while paralleling her case to previous incidents of coercion in smuggling cases. Meanwhile, Rao’s family ties and the CBI’s broader investigation add complexity to the situation.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, asserts her innocence regarding her recent arrest in a gold smuggling case, stating she was “trapped”. During her questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), she became emotional and maintained her claim of innocence. Reports indicate that she could not sleep and was tormented by thoughts of her involvement in the incident at the airport.

In a tearful moment recounted to her lawyers, Rao expressed, “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.” However, her assertions contrast with her initial statement to the DRI, where she acknowledged being apprehended with 17 gold bars and admitted to extensive travel to various countries.

Authorities are investigating further into her claims, seeking to identify who may have coerced her into smuggling if her allegations prove true. This situation appears reminiscent of a prior case in Chennai involving a woman implicated in gold smuggling under similar psychological duress. Investigators suspect that someone close to Rao might have influenced her decisions.

Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport with gold bars valued at ₹12 crore concealed in a hidden belt. Following her arrest, authorities also seized substantial cash and jewelry from her residence. Rao’s stepfather, senior Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the matter, claiming ignorance of her activities since she resides with her husband, Jatin Hukkeri. Concurrently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into international drug smuggling linked to the case.

In summary, Ranya Rao has publicly declared her innocence regarding her involvement in a gold smuggling case and describes herself as having been manipulated. Her emotional reactions during questioning and statements to her lawyers suggest significant psychological distress. The unfolding investigation will examine the circumstances of her involvement, aligning with precedents in similar cases. The involvement of her family underscores the complexity of her situation, warranting further scrutiny from law enforcement.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com