Fresh details have emerged in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao, revealing that she took 52 trips to Dubai in the last two years, with at least 26 of them alongside actor friend Tarun Raju, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told a court on Tuesday.
During their Dubai trips, the duo reportedly followed a suspicious travel pattern, leaving India in the morning and returning by the evening. The DRI, opposing Tarun Raju’s bail plea, argued that these frequent short trips indicated their involvement in a smuggling network.
Gold Smuggling Operation Unraveled
The DRI arrested Ranya Rao on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, catching her red-handed while smuggling gold. Following her arrest, authorities apprehended Tarun Raju, linking him to the operation through financial transactions and shared travel itineraries.
Investigators claim to have uncovered proof that Ranya Rao booked a flight for Tarun Raju from Dubai to Hyderabad using funds transferred to his account, strengthening suspicions of his role in the smuggling operation.
Both actors have been booked under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.
Legal Battle and Further Investigations
The court has adjourned Ranya Rao’s bail plea to March 19, directing the DRI to file its objections before the next hearing. Her initial bail application was rejected by the Special Court for Economic Offenses due to the severity of the allegations.
Meanwhile, a DGP-rank officer, IPS K Ramachandra Rao, who is also Ranya Rao’s stepfather, was questioned on Monday in connection with the case. His statement was recorded by a team led by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, according to reports by PTI.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now registered an FIR based on a complaint from Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of the DRI. With ongoing investigations, authorities are expected to uncover further details about the alleged smuggling racket.
High-Profile Case Raises Questions
The involvement of well-known Kannada film industry figures has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The repeated same-day trips to Dubai and financial transactions between the two actors have raised serious suspicions, with officials suspecting a larger smuggling network.
Sources By Agencies
