Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested in 14kg Gold Smuggling Case
Ranya Rao case: It has been 15 days since Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport with over 14 kilograms of gold. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are investigating the case, uncovering new details daily. Investigators have found b evidence linking Ranya to international travels, suspicious financial transactions, and a hawala network. Emerging information suggests this is not a simple smuggling case but part of an organized network in which Ranya played a significant role.
Father Also Questioned
Investigators are focusing on Ranya's frequent trips to Dubai. Records show 52 trips between 2023 and 2025, with 45 of those trips involving same-day returns. In the first two months of 2025 alone, she made 27 trips to Dubai, often via Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai. This pattern is highly suspicious, as such frequent travel is unusual for an ordinary passenger.
Furthermore, Ranya's stepfather, Ramchandra Rao, a senior officer with the rank of DGP, is also being questioned. Investigators are exploring whether his influential position was used to protect the smuggling network.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Makes Sensational Revelations in Court
During the court hearing, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) revealed that Tarun Raju, a close friend of Ranya Rao, is also involved in the smuggling network. Investigations revealed that Tarun Raju also made 26 trips to Dubai, following a similar pattern to Ranya—departing for Dubai in the morning and returning to India in the evening. These frequent trips, repeated numerous times, clearly indicate a larger conspiracy.
Suspicious Business Transactions, Suspicion of Hawala Operations
Investigations further revealed that in 2023, Ranya registered a company named "Veera Diamonds Trading" in Dubai. Authorities suspect this company was created for money laundering, used to legitimize funds from the gold smuggling operation. Similarly, her associate, Tarun Raju, started "Bio Enho India" in Bengaluru in 2022, later renamed "Giroda India." The creation of multiple companies and financial transactions in such a short time has surprised investigators.
Authorities found that funds deposited in these companies' bank accounts were transferred through suspicious sources, directly linked to illegal gold smuggling money. Investigators suspect Ranya Rao and her associates used these companies to legitimize the proceeds.
