Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested earlier this month in connection with a gold-smuggling case, has reportedly confessed to transferring funds through hawala channels to facilitate the purchase of gold, according to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). This revelation emerged during a hearing of her bail plea, where DRI advocate Madhu Rao told the court that a notice had been issued under Section 108, indicating the initiation of a judicial inquiry into the actor’s activities. The inquiry aims to explore the depth of financial irregularities and assess whether any laws have been violated in the process.

Ranya Rao, aged 31, was apprehended on March 3 at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, where customs officers seized a substantial quantity of gold—14.8 kg in total. The confiscated gold was valued at approximately Rs 12.56 crore. In addition to the airport bust, a search of her residence led to the discovery of gold jewelry worth Rs 2.06 crore, as well as Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. These findings have strengthened suspicions that the actor was involved in large-scale gold smuggling operations.

The DRI’s investigation has unearthed disturbing patterns in Rao’s travel history, particularly her frequent trips to Dubai. Authorities have noted that both Rao and her associate, actor Tarun Raju, made 26 trips to Dubai, typically arriving and returning on the same day. It is suspected that these swift round trips were strategically used to smuggle gold into India. In total, Ranya Rao has made 52 visits to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, with 45 of these trips being same-day return journeys. In one instance, she is reported to have traveled to Dubai 27 times within a single month, which raised further concerns.

Further complicating matters, Ranya Rao’s close association with her stepfather, DGP Ramchandra Rao, has attracted attention. The Protocol Officer who aided her in the smuggling operations stated that he was acting on specific orders from DGP Ramchandra Rao, who has been embroiled in the controversy. The high-ranking police official has been placed on compulsory leave amid mounting scrutiny over his possible involvement in the smuggling activities.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Ranya Rao faces serious charges under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. Her case highlights not only the involvement of a prominent actor in illegal activities but also raises significant questions about the role of influential figures in facilitating such operations. Authorities are now focused on unraveling the full extent of the smuggling network and determining how widespread these operations were.

Source: IT