Gold Smuggling Case Involving Actors Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju Uncovered by DRI
Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju, actors implicated in a gold smuggling case, were arrested following DRI investigations revealing extensive travel linked to smuggling activities. Rao had 14.2 kg of gold upon her return from Dubai, leading to concerns about their operational network facilitated by hawala channels and connections in a broader syndicate, prompting investigations by additional agencies.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a significant gold smuggling operation involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao and her Telugu actor associate, Tarun Konduru Raju. Both individuals were arrested in connection with the case, revealing a strong connection between them, evident from their 26 shared trips to Dubai over the past three months and a total of 56 trips for Rao since early 2023.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, was detained on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport upon her arrival from Dubai, found with 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at ₹12.5 crore. Raju was apprehended shortly after, on March 10. The DRI asserts that these travels were ostensibly for gold smuggling.
In court, DRI’s special counsel, Madhu N. Rai, emphasized that Rao and Raju’s pattern of day trips to Dubai suggested a deliberate effort to smuggle gold. The agency has raised concerns regarding Rao’s potential flight risk, citing her UAE residency and extensive travel history, opposing her bail.
DRI’s investigation has indicated the use of hawala networks for fund transfers between India and Dubai, pointing to a broader criminal syndicate involvement. Furthermore, Rao and Raju reportedly established a gold trading company in Dubai, with ongoing inquiries into their financial transactions within Europe and the US.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have initiated parallel investigations focused on larger syndicate operations and potential complicity of government officials. The DRI suspects that Rao leveraged her stepfather’s position to bypass airport security checks, an allegation denied by K. Ramachandra Rao, who has faced scrutiny over past controversies during his police tenure.
In summary, the investigation led by the DRI has revealed a complex and extensive gold smuggling operation involving prominent actors, connecting them to a larger network of illegal activities. The ongoing scrutiny by various law enforcement agencies illustrates the seriousness of this case, with concerns regarding potential breaches of authority and the involvement of government officials. The judicial proceedings continue as more facts unfold regarding their operations and connections.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
