Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Misusing VIP Protocol At Airport To Tarun Raj's Arrest, What We Know So Far

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling around 14.8 kg gold bars from Dubai to Bangalore last week. Her frequent visits to Dubai alarmed the officials and they started keeping an eye on her activities. It was before her return DRI received a tip based on which they stopped her at check-in and thoroughly checked her bags to find ₹12.56 crore worth of gold. Following the 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.

On Monday, the Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru remanded judicial custody to Ranya till March 24. Since then, many developments have taken place. Here's all you need to know about Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case.

CBI takes over Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case

The probe in Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case has widened with the CBI stepping in. As per sources, a team of the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) landed in Bengaluru and Mumbai on March 8 to launch a nationwide investigation. The CBI intervention comes after the actress has confessed to her crimes. In a recent interrogation, Ranya admitted to carrying 17 gold bars on her return to India from Dubai. 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.

Was Ranya Rao a member of an international gold smuggling racket?

During the investigation, police found contacts of individuals from Dubai and Malaysia. DRI is investigating who these individuals are and their business activities. However, when Ranya about the same, she didn't answer and kept crying, per officials.

Also Read: Is Sana Makbul's Autoimmune Condition Similar To Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Myositis? Here's All You Need To Know

How did Ranya Rao smuggle gold at the airport?

During the investigation, it was reported that Ranya misused protocol privileges to carry out this illegal act. The actress exploited VIP protocol services granted at airports by using the name of her father, Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao, IPS, who is the Director General of Police, Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. By doing so, she allegedly bypassed security checks and smuggled contraband items.

Karnataka orders probe against Ranya Rao's stepfather K Ramachandra Rao over misuse of VIP protocol service at airport

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 wedding photos

Republic has exclusive photos of Ranya Rao and Jatin Hukkeri that show the active involvement of IPS Ramachandra Rao at his stepdaughter's wedding. Ranya got married on November 27, 2024, at Taj West End, Race Course Road. The wedding was attended by politicians, celebrities, and senior police officials.

Bengaluru hotelier's grandson Tarun Raju arrested in gold smuggling case linked to Ranya Rao

As the investigation proceeded, DRI found an alleged 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. Although Ranya and Tarun were once close, their friendship reportedly weakened after the actress' wedding but they allegedly continued their smuggling operations.

Investigators found that when Ranya was transporting gold from Dubai, she contacted Tarun. This phone call led the authorities to suspect his role in the smuggling operation.

The investigation is ongoing, with DRI officials gathering further statements from Tarun.

Also Read: War 2: Hrithik Roshan And Jr NTR's Dance-Off Shoot POSTPONED Due To Former's Leg Injury | Report