Ranya Rao case: Probe systemic causes behind gold smuggling

What makes this case particularly troubling is the failure of central agencies at the Bengaluru airport to detect Ranya's activities, despite her frequent travels and suspicious patterns. It was DRI’s Delhi unit, acting on specific intelligence, that ultimately intercepted her.

The recent arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has, once again, exposed the alarming issue of gold smuggling into the country, while raising questions about bureaucratic influence and systemic failures in curbing such crimes. Ranya, arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after arriving from Dubai, was found carrying 14.8 kg of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 12.56 crore. Over the past year, she reportedly travelled to Dubai more than 20 times, smuggling gold on each trip and earning between Rs one lakh and Rs four lakh per kg. Subsequent raids on her house led to seizure of Rs 2.67 crore in cash and additional gold worth Rs 2.06 crore.

What makes this case particularly troubling is the failure of central agencies at the Bengaluru airport to detect her activities, despite her frequent travels and suspicious patterns. It was DRI’s Delhi unit, acting on specific intelligence, that ultimately intercepted her. This raises concerns about possible complicity or negligence by local authorities, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in enforcement mechanisms in KIA. As the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a senior police officer, Ranya allegedly exploited her family’s influence to bypass standard security protocols – a glaring example of the VIP culture that undermines India’s security systems. This incident mirrors past scandals such as the 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case where 30 kg of gold was smuggled via a diplomatic pouch. Such abuse of bureaucratic power to circumvent security measures is a deeply concerning sign of institutional decay.

The ongoing investigation must go beyond Ranya and her associates. It should scrutinise the complicity of officers who may have enabled her activities, as well as the rumoured involvement of politicians. The jewellers who ultimately benefit from the smuggling activities should be identified and held responsible for perpetuating this racket. It is unlikely that Ranya’s activities went on for so long without high-level collusion. Her arrest is a wake-up call, exposing the deep-rooted issue of bureaucratic corruption and VIP privilege that facilitate such crimes. To combat gold smuggling, the government must take decisive action. This includes dismantling smuggling networks, punishing the guilty irrespective of their status, and addressing the root causes and incentives that drive these activities. Comprehensive policy reforms, stricter enforcement of security protocols and enhanced surveillance are essential steps towards preventing such crimes. The government must demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that all those responsible for perpetuating this illicit trade are brought to justice.