Gold Smuggling Probe Widens: Central Agencies Raid Locations Linked to Actress Ranya Rao’s Arrest
Bengaluru:
The investigation into the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao has intensified, with a joint team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducting searches at multiple locations in Bengaluru. These raids targeted properties linked to Ranya Rao’s husband, Jathin Hukkeri, an architect; Tarun Konduru Raju, an actor and son of a well-known Bengaluru businessman; and White Gold, the gold-purchase arm of Kerala-based businessman C J Babu’s group, according to Karnataka Police sources.
The Gold Smuggling Racket Uncovered
Ranya Rao, whose full name is Harshavardini Ranya, was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3 after she was caught attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore. The gold had been taped onto various parts of her body using medical plaster and covered with bandages. Following her arrest, DRI officials searched her residence, seizing gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
Authorities are now investigating the financial sources behind the smuggling network and identifying the final purchasers of the smuggled gold. Ranya Rao reportedly traveled to Dubai 27 times within six months, raising suspicions that she may have been involved in multiple smuggling operations.
CBI Expands Investigation
The CBI has registered an FIR to investigate the smuggling case at Bengaluru airport, along with a similar incident at Mumbai airport. The FIR, filed on March 7, is based on a letter from Abhai Kumar Srivastav, the Director General of DRI.
In the Mumbai case, two foreign nationals—an Omani and a UAE citizen—were arrested on March 6 for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold worth ₹18.92 crore. Investigators noted striking similarities between their frequent trips from Dubai and Ranya Rao’s travel history, suggesting a well-coordinated international smuggling syndicate.
Smuggling Network Possibly Linked to Dubai
According to the DRI’s findings, both cases involve passengers making repeated trips from Dubai, smuggling large quantities of gold, and evading customs duties. The agency suspects a larger network operating from Dubai, with possible connections between Indian and foreign nationals.
With the central agencies deepening their probe, more revelations are expected in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest gold smuggling busts in recent times.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
