Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Admits to Using Hawala for Gold Smuggling, Court Reserves Bail Order
Bengaluru: Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, popularly known as Ranya Rao, has admitted to using hawala channels to purchase gold, strengthening the prosecution’s case against her in an ongoing gold smuggling investigation.
During a special court hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution argued that Rao confessed to facilitating gold transactions through illegal money transfer networks. Meanwhile, the court has reserved its decision on her bail plea until March 27 after listening to arguments from both the defence and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Legal Battle and Investigations
Ranya’s counsel, Kiran Jawali, pushed for her release, while DRI’s legal representative, Madhu Rao, presented evidence suggesting her direct involvement in illicit fund transfers. The authorities have invoked Section 108 of the Customs Act, requiring a judicial inquiry rather than a police investigation to examine the financial irregularities in depth.
Officials aim to trace the origins and extent of the illegal transactions, as well as uncover any potential links to a larger smuggling network.
Gold Seizure and Fallout
The case surfaced on March 3, when gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport after she arrived from Dubai. Subsequent raids at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, according to the DRI.
In the wake of the scandal, Ranya’s stepfather, senior police officer K Ramachandra Rao, was placed on compulsory leave by the Karnataka government and questioned in connection with the smuggling operation.
As the investigation unfolds, the case has sparked widespread debate over celebrity involvement in financial crimes, with authorities working to bring those responsible to justice.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
