Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju are under investigation for their alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case, with the DRI indicating a larger syndicate at play. Rao was arrested at the Bangalore airport with gold worth ₹12.5 crore, and together they had made numerous trips to Dubai. Authorities are concerned about their travel patterns and potential flight risk, as well as links to money transfer channels. Additional investigations by CBI and ED are underway.
Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, and her Telugu actor friend, Tarun Konduru Raju, have been implicated in a gold smuggling case investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The DRI revealed a significant nexus between the two individuals, stating they traveled together multiple times over the past two years while engaging in suspected smuggling activities.
Ranya Rao was apprehended on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru with 14.2 kilograms of gold bars valued at ₹12.5 crore, after her return from Dubai. Tarun Raju was subsequently arrested on March 10, and officials noted that this duo took 26 joint trips between January and March of this year alone, with Rao reportedly making a total of 56 trips to Dubai accordingly.
DRI’s special counsel, Madhu N Rai, indicated that Rao and Raju’s pattern of travel—returning to India the same day—implies their intent was to engage in gold smuggling. Concerns regarding Rao’s flight risk were also raised due to her possession of a UAE resident identity card, leading to opposing views on her bail plea, suggesting she might abscond if released.
The investigation has unearthed the use of hawala channels for transferring funds from India to Dubai, confirming that a larger syndicate is involved. Additionally, Rao and Raju are reported to have established a gold trading company in Dubai. Further inquiries are in progress to examine any connections with Europe and the US, potentially linking them to the broader syndicate under investigation.
Moreover, both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are conducting separate inquiries into this case to probe the larger international syndicate and ascertain any involvement of government officials in facilitating this smuggling operation.
It is believed that Rao may have leveraged her stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, to avoid airport scrutiny. Rao, who currently serves as Director General of Police since October 2023, has publicly denied any involvement in the gold smuggling activities despite previous scrutiny related to a substantial cash seizure during his tenure as Inspector General of Police.
The involvement of Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju in gold smuggling highlights a significant case under investigation by multiple authorities, including the DRI, CBI, and ED. The use of hawala channels and potential connections with a larger syndicate raise serious implications in this case. Rao’s established connections and travel patterns further complicate the narrative surrounding the alleged smuggling activities, necessitating extensive investigation into her actions and the roles of others involved.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
