Kannada Actress Ranaya Rao Arrested in ₹12.56 Crore Gold Smuggling Case

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has revealed key details in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranaya Rao. The DRI’s legal representative informed the court that she used hawala transactions to purchase gold from foreign markets. During the investigation, Ranaya Rao reportedly admitted to these transactions, which was brought to the court's attention. The 64th CCH Sessions Court in Bengaluru conducted a hearing on her bail petition related to the gold smuggling case and, after hearing arguments from both sides, reserved the verdict for March 27. Notably, on March 3, the DRI seized gold worth ₹12.56 crore from Ranaya Rao upon her return from Dubai.

Following the seizure, authorities took the actress into custody and conducted searches at her residence. During the raid, officials recovered gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore. Along with Ranaya Rao, Tarun Raj was also arrested at the Bengaluru airport by the DRI. Investigations revealed that she had financially assisted Tarun Raj, and he used the money sent by her to travel from Dubai to Hyderabad. The court had already rejected Tarun Raj’s bail plea, as the DRI opposed his release, arguing that he might flee if granted bail.

The DRI further informed the court that after Ranaya Rao’s arrest, Tarun Raj attempted to flee the country. Officials suspect that she played a crucial role in the illegal gold smuggling operation, overseeing the transportation and distribution of smuggled gold within India. The case has raised serious concerns about organized gold smuggling networks operating in the country.