“I’m Emotionally Broken, Verbally Tortured”: Actor Ranya Rao Tells Bengaluru Court

Appearing before a special court, the Kannada actor clarified that she faced emotional harassment but not physical abuse while in DRI custody.

Kannada actor Ranya Rao, recently arrested for smuggling gold bars worth ₹14.56 crore, broke down before a special Bengaluru court on Monday, alleging that she faced severe emotional trauma and verbal threats during her detention by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

When questioned by the court about allegations of physical torture, Rao denied being physically harmed but emphasized the mental and emotional toll the custody took on her. “I was verbally tortured and threatened. I feel traumatised and emotionally broken,” she told the court emotionally.

The DRI officials rejected these allegations, asserting that the entire custody process—including interrogation and arrest—was conducted transparently under CCTV surveillance.

Rao’s remarks come amid widespread speculation triggered by circulated images showing her with apparent facial bruising and swollen eyes. However, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, stated earlier that an investigation into potential assault allegations would require a formal complaint from Rao.

The court has sent Rao to judicial custody until March 24, with her bail application scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

Ranya Rao, who debuted in Kannada cinema in 2014 with the movie ‘Maanikya,’ was detained at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on March 3, arriving from Dubai. Authorities found her carrying 14.2 kilograms of gold, concealed in clothing and jewelry, valued at ₹14.56 crore.

Investigators noted her frequent trips to Dubai—27 visits within the past year alone—as highly suspicious. Following her arrest, a subsequent search at her residence revealed gold jewelry valued at ₹2 crore and cash totaling ₹2.67 crore.

In her leaked statement, Rao admitted to possessing 17 gold bars and detailed numerous international trips to Dubai, the Middle East, and Western countries. The authorities have also arrested two associates, T Raj and Tarun Kondaraju, allegedly linked to her smuggling operations.

Rao’s stepfather, senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, has publicly distanced himself from the case, expressing shock over the incident. He stated he had not been in contact with Ranya Rao since her marriage four months ago and had no knowledge of her or her husband Jatin Hukkeri’s business activities.