The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has escalated its probe into the high-profile gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao, launching extensive searches across Bengaluru. The agency, determined to uncover the full extent of the smuggling network, raided multiple locations linked to the actress, including her residence, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) office, and a luxury hotel where her lavish wedding ceremony took place.
Sources indicate that CBI officials are meticulously scrutinizing wedding footage and guest lists, aiming to identify every individual who attended the event and gifted expensive items to Ranya. Investigators are particularly focused on tracing the origins of these extravagant gifts, suspecting that some may have connections to the smuggling syndicate. The agency is working to establish whether these high-value gifts were merely tokens of goodwill or served as conduits for illicit transactions linked to the larger gold smuggling racket.
The inquiry has since expanded beyond Ranya Rao, with CBI officers examining a broader network of high-profile personalities, businessmen, and political figures who may have had direct or indirect connections to the smuggling operation. Officials are reportedly exploring financial transactions, property deals, and any unexplained wealth associated with Ranya and those close to her.
A specialized team from the CBI’s Delhi unit is spearheading the investigation, leaving no stone unturned. Beyond the smuggling allegations, they’re also investigating potential financial irregularities tied to KIADB land approvals, suggesting that the probe may unravel a wider corruption scandal. Authorities are poring over documents related to land allotments and permissions granted to high-profile individuals in Bengaluru, suspecting that some deals may have facilitated money laundering activities linked to the smuggling network.
In a significant twist, the CBI has issued summons to four protocol officers stationed at Bengaluru airport — state-appointed officials responsible for overseeing the smooth arrival and departure of VIPs, politicians, and foreign dignitaries. The officers have been called in for intense questioning to determine whether any procedural lapses, oversight, or deliberate collusion occurred within the airport’s security framework. Investigators are particularly interested in whether these officials knowingly or unknowingly aided the smuggling syndicate by allowing unauthorized items to pass through VIP lanes unchecked.
Meanwhile, the legal battle surrounding Ranya Rao continues to unfold. The actress’s bail plea is being fiercely contested at the Special Court for Economic Offences, where the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has taken a strong stance against her release. A senior DRI investigation officer was seen arriving at the court ahead of the hearing, where the agency is expected to submit detailed objections to Ranya’s bail request. The court had previously instructed the prosecution to provide substantial evidence supporting their opposition to bail, and today’s hearing is seen as a crucial turning point that could determine whether Ranya remains in custody or secures temporary relief.
Public interest in the case has surged, with intense media coverage and widespread speculation about the possible involvement of other influential figures. The CBI, meanwhile, is under growing pressure to deliver results, especially as whispers of political interference and celebrity connections grow louder. With investigators expanding their net to track financial flows, property deals, and possible insider collusion, the case appears to be evolving into a larger inquiry that could expose a complex web of corruption, influence, and organized crime operating beneath the surface of Bengaluru’s elite circles.
