Controversy Erupts Over Official Protocol

BENGALURU — Kannada actor Ranya Rao, currently out on bail in connection with a multi-crore gold smuggling syndicate, has drawn sharp criticism and sparked a political slugfest following a recent temple visit. Rao, along with her family, visited the revered Hasanamba Temple in Karnataka’s Hassan district on October 31.

The controversy centers around the preferential treatment extended to the actor, who reportedly arrived at the sacred site in an official protocol vehicle. The facility is typically reserved for high-ranking government functionaries and was reportedly extended through her stepfather, retired Director General of Police K. Ramachandra Rao.

The use of state-allocated protocol for an accused individual quickly drew public ire, translating rapidly into political friction between the ruling administration and the opposition.

Political Backlash Intensifies

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC C.T. Ravi openly criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government over the administrative arrangements provided to Rao and her relatives during their pilgrimage.

"Perhaps, in the view of the state government, Ranya Rao is a VIP. The Congress government may have considered her a VIP," Ravi remarked, highlighting questions regarding the misuse of administrative privileges for individuals facing serious criminal charges.

The Backdrop: A Rs 102 Crore Smuggling Case

The public outrage is deeply rooted in the severe legal battles Ranya Rao currently faces. Arrested in March 2025 at the Bengaluru Airport, the actor was intercepted while carrying 14.2 kilograms of gold—partially worn on her person and the rest concealed within her clothing.

Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) subsequently revealed that Rao was allegedly a key operative in a sprawling transnational smuggling network. Authorities stated that syndicate members commanded hefty commissions, netting approximately Rs 4 to 5 lakh for every kilogram of gold smuggled from Dubai into Bengaluru.

Earlier this year, Rao was formally named in an ED chargesheet concerning a staggering Rs 102 crore gold smuggling operation. Investigators allege the syndicate successfully moved over 127 kilograms of gold into India within a single year, distributing the contraband domestically through an intricate web of handlers and local jewelers. Consequently, the DRI imposed a massive penalty of Rs 102 crore on the actor as proceedings continue.