Goa, March 7 -- Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is the stepdaughter of a high-ranking police officer recently detained for gold smuggling, has refuted any connection to the operation. According to sources, she stated that she felt "trapped" while being interrogated by authorities. The actress was apprehended with gold bars valued at Rs 12 crore concealed in a hidden belt around her body. During her questioning, she became emotional but maintained her innocence in front of officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

A recent development has brought a new angle to the case, as Ranya confessed to the crime in her official statement to the DRI. In her account, she acknowledged that 17 gold bars were found in her possession a...