Ranya Rao Slapped With ₹89 Crore Customs Penalty

Kannada actor Ranya Rao has been hit with a ₹89-crore Customs penalty in connection with the alleged gold-smuggling case that began with her arrest at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in March 2025. The penalty forms part of a 399-page adjudication order issued by the Customs Department. Reports say the department’s investigation examined the alleged smuggling of around 113 kg of gold from Dubai between March 2024 and February 2025.

The case first came to light when DRI officials intercepted Rao on March 3, 2025, and allegedly recovered 14.213 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at about ₹12.56 crore at the time. Subsequent investigations by the ED also examined a larger alleged quantity of 127.287 kg of gold and alleged money-laundering proceeds. The ED has separately filed a prosecution complaint in the case.

The latest Customs order also imposes penalties on three other accused, taking the combined penalties to more than ₹244 crore, according to reports. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he did not yet have the complete details of the Customs order and would respond after obtaining the information. Ranya Rao is currently out of custody after completing a one-year preventive detention period under COFEPOSA in April 2026.