Dubai Trips, Credit Card Transactions & Financial Frauds: DRI's Key Findings In Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling around 14.8kg gold bars from Dubai to Bangalore last week. From frequent visits to Dubai to illegal gold trade to misuse of VIP protocol at airport, what details DRI has dug out so far?

Details uncovered by DRI in Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case

Before Ranya Rao return from Dubai, DRI had received a tip off based on which they stopped her at check-in and throughly checked her bags to find ₹12.56 crore worth of gold. Following her arrest, a team was sent to her residence in Bengaluru where the officials seized gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore, along with ₹2.67 crore in cash. During the investigation, it was reported that she is the stepdaughter of IPS Ramachandra Rao and is married to architect Jatin Hukkeri.

As per sources, the intervention of CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) came only after Ranya Rao confessed to her crimes. A team of CBI landed in Bengaluru and Mumbai on March 8 to launch a nationwide investigation. When officials asked her about the international trip, the Kannada actress mentioned that she travelled to 40 countries, including Europe, America and the Middle East. It was her frequent international visits that tipped off the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and led to her arrest.

Also Read: Deb Mukherjee's Prayer Meet: Vicky Kaushal, Aditya Roy, Anupam Kher Arrive To Pay Last Respects To Ayan Mukeerji's Father

What is the connection between Ranya Rao and Tarun Raj?

During investigation, DRI found link between Atrial Hotel's owner's grandson Tarun Raj and Ranya Rao. According to officials, initial investigation reveals Tarun as the kingpin behind the gold Ranya brought.He felicitated gold purchases in Dubai through hawala transactions. On finding his involvement, officials arrested him and later produced him before the special economic offences court in Bengaluru, granting DRI five days of custody for further questioning. Tarun and Ranya had been close friends for several years. Their friendship allegedly led to their joint involvement in gold smuggling from foreign countries.

Also Read: Breaking: Comedian Darshan Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Raping Minor

Investigators found that Ranya was transporting gold from Dubai she contacted Tarun. This phone call led the authorities to suspect his role in the smuggling operation. More details are yet to be gathered from Tarun

Misusing of VIP protocol by Ranya Rao leads to interrogation of Ranya Rao’s stepfather?

Gaurav Gupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, has been appointed as the inquiry officer to investigate the misuse of protocol privileges. The inquiry officer is directed to commence the investigation immediately and submit the inquiry report within one week. Considering the seriousness of this matter, the government has decided to investigate the circumstances under which these protocol privileges were granted and whether Dr K Ramachandra Rao, IPS, had any role in facilitating them.

Ranya Rao’s bail petition was heard in Sessions Court on March 17. The court has adjourned the case for March 19 and has directed the DRI’s counsel to file objections by them. Further proceedings will continue after the submission. The actress had applied for bail on March 14. However, the Special Court for Economic Offences denied her bail, saying the charged against her were serious. The court presided over by Judge agreed that the actress should stay in judicial custody.

Also Read: Aamir Khan Spotted With Girlfriend Gauri Spratt First Time Since Actor Confirmed Relationship | WATCH