Ranya Rao Admitted Using Hawala Money Was Used to Purchase Gold: DRI Tells Sessions Court

Ranya Rao's bail hearing occurred at a Bengaluru sessions court today, March 25. The DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) Advocate Madhu Rao told the sessions court that the Kannada actress has confessed to using hawala money to purchase gold. For the uninitiated, the Kannada actress was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on March 3 after she was found in possession of 14.8 kg of gold. 

After hearing arguments from both sides, the sessions court has reserved Ranya Rao's bail order. The court will now pronounce its decision on March 27. As per reports, the DRI advocate has shared that the authorities have issued a notice under section 108 to initiate a judicial enquiry against the actress. Further investigations will be carried out to understand how many financial irregularities were made in the matter and to uncover the potential violations of the law.

Also Read: Dubai Trips to Financial Fraud: DRI's Key Findings In Ranya Rao Case

Ranya Rao details how she smuggled gold at the airport

The Kannada actress Ranya Rao was sent to judicial custody for her involvement in the gold smuggling. The actress was caught with 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore when she arrived in India from Dubai. During her custody, the actress confessed to the charges against her. She told the officials in detail how she received a call from an unknown number and was asked to smuggle gold from  Dubai. She further revealed that she learned the trick of smuggling from a YouTube video.

Also Read: Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Actress' Step-Father Interrogated

Her bail plea has been denied twice - once by a lower court and then by the Special Court for Economic Offences, due to 'seriousness of the charge'.

What has happened in the probe against Ranya Rao so far?

Following Ranya Rao's arrest from Bengaluru airport, a search at her residence reportedly led to the discovery of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore. The investigation also discovered how the actress misused connections of her stepfather, senior Karnataka IPS officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao, to extract special treatment. As a result, the DGP was sent on a ‘compulsory leave’ by the state government. 

Also Read: Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Kannada Actor's Bail Petition Adjourned

While in judicial custody, the actress alleged custodian torture by the authorities. On March 15, she submitted a petition from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison wherein she claimed to have been physically assaulted, slapped multiple times, and denied sleep and food. Not just this, she was also forced to sign blank documents under duress. In her petition, she further alleged that officers threatened to expose her father’s identity if she refused to comply.

With the recent breakthrough in the case, the next step of the officials is being awaited.