Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling: Ranya Rao named ‘Mastermind’ in Rs 12.56 crore gold smuggling case; One more arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has reportedly termed Kannada actor Ranya Rao as the “mastermind”, accusing her of evading Rs 4.83 crore in duties by smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai. On Monday, she was remanded to judicial custody, while another suspect, Tarun Raju, was arrested in connection with the case.
According to Deccan Herald, Tarun Raju, reportedly related to the owners of a major Bengaluru hotel chain, was arrested and remanded to the DRI’s custody.
Investigators are now analyzing Ranya’s call detail records (CDRs), which they claim reveal her connections to influential figures in the city. The DRI also suspects hawala networks were used for smuggling operations, linking the case to Dubai.
Ranya, 33, was interrogated for three days before being presented at the Special Court for Economic Offences at 4 PM on Monday (March 10). Since the DRI did not seek further custody, the judge sent her to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison for two weeks. Before her remand, she filed a bail application, and the court directed the DRI to submit objections by Tuesday.
During the hearing, Ranya alleged that DRI officials verbally abused her, causing mental distress. However, the DRI dismissed the claims, stating that her entire interrogation was recorded and could be submitted to the court if required.
The DRI’s submission to the court detailed how Ranya wrapped gold bars using crepe bandages and tissues around her thighs and other body parts to avoid detection. The court was informed that her actions were part of a larger smuggling syndicate misusing security protocols.
While the DRI is leading the probe, the CBI has also stepped in, suspecting a larger international gold smuggling syndicate. On March 6, the DRI intercepted two individuals from UAE and Oman at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, seizing gold worth Rs 19 crore. These individuals had arrived via an Emirates flight from Dubai, the same flight Ranya used, strengthening suspicions of a common syndicate.
Adding to the controversy, Ranya is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) K Ramachandra Rao. This has raised questions about law enforcement’s role in her activities. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed the Assembly on Monday, stating that authorities would investigate any police failure in the case, especially claims that Ranya was provided security by law enforcement officials.
But K Ramachandra Rao, in a media interaction revealed that he had no black marks in his career and said that the entire family was shocked and devastated upon hearing the news. He said, “I was shocked and devastated when such an incident came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things. Like any other father, I was also shocked. She is not living with us; she is living separately with her husband, and there must be some problem between them due to some family issues. The law will do its job. There is no black mark on my career.”
