Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju Arrested in Gold Smuggling Case Linked to Larger Syndicate
Kannada actress Ranya Rao and Telugu actor Tarun Raju were arrested for gold smuggling, with evidence of 26 joint trips made for smuggling purposes. The DRI links their travels to a larger syndicate using hawala channels for fund transfers from India to Dubai. Rao’s ties to her stepfather, IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, are under investigation as authorities probe potential involvement of government officials.
Recent developments have emerged involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao and Telugu actor Tarun Konduru Raju, who have been arrested in connection with gold smuggling, as reported by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Evidence suggests a strong connection between the two actors and indicates they utilized hawala channels for transferring funds between India and Dubai. The DRI has connected not only their individual actions but also indicated a larger syndicate at play in this extensive smuggling operation.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3 when she arrived from Dubai with 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at ₹12.5 crore. Tarun Raju was arrested shortly afterward on March 10. Reports highlight that the pair made a total of 26 trips together from January to March of this year alone, with Rao suspected of making 56 trips to Dubai since 2023.
During legal proceedings, DRI’s special counsel Madhu N Rai emphasized the high frequency of their trips, arguing these journeys were primarily for smuggling gold. Additionally, concerns were raised about Rao possessing a UAE resident identity card, enhancing fears that she might flee if granted bail.
The investigation has uncovered that their trips included setting up a company in Dubai for trading in gold, a claim currently under verification. Authorities are also seeking to clarify the nature of transactions involving trips to Europe and the United States, further probing potential links of the larger syndicate.
Apart from the DRI, both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have launched separate inquiries to examine potential involvement of government officials facilitating the illegal smuggling activities. It is alleged that Rao leveraged her stepfather’s influence to evade security checks at the airport, a claim her stepfather denies, despite prior scrutiny related to a significant cash seizure case during his tenure as inspector general.
The case surrounding Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju reflects a significant gold smuggling operation involving multiple trips to Dubai and the use of hawala channels for illegal funding. The collaborative efforts of the DRI, CBI, and ED underscore the complexity of this investigation, raising critical questions regarding the role of influential figures in facilitating such activities. Continued scrutiny of travel histories and business interests in Dubai may unravel deeper connections within the syndicate.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
