A special court has rejected the bail plea of actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a major gold smuggling case. Along with her, a second accused, Tarun Raju, has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.
Authorities seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from Ranya Rao at Bengaluru airport. Subsequent searches of her properties led to the recovery of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now launched an investigation into the case, particularly focusing on Rao’s alleged involvement in a larger smuggling network.
Suspicions Surround Husband’s Role
Ranya Rao had booked round-trip tickets from Bengaluru to Dubai using her husband Jatin Hukkeri’s credit card, raising suspicions about his potential involvement in the case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) searched nine locations linked to Hukkeri in Bengaluru. However, he has obtained an interim order from the Karnataka High Court, preventing his immediate arrest.
Ranya Rao’s Alleged Modus Operandi
During questioning, Ranya Rao told investigators that she had been instructed over the phone by unknown individuals to smuggle gold. She claimed to have learned gold smuggling techniques through YouTube videos.
She further detailed that she had collected the gold from a tall man wearing a gown at Dubai Airport’s Terminal 3, Gate A. According to her, this was her first attempt at gold smuggling.
The case has drawn significant attention, not just because of the actor’s involvement but also due to her connection as the stepdaughter of Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao. Investigations are ongoing as authorities attempt to trace the larger smuggling network.
Sources By Agencies
