BENGALURU: Kannada actress Ranya Rao (34), arrested in a gold smuggling case, smuggled in Rs 70 crore worth of gold in a period of five months, the investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has revealed so far.
The DRI has also arrested Tarun Konduru Raju (36), a resident of Kakatiya Hill in Hyderabad, and Sahil Sakariya Jain, hailing from Ballari, in connection with the case.
As per the DRI, Harshavardini Ranya Rao brought in 8.98 kg of gold bars worth Rs 6.82 crore in November 2024 for which Rs 6.5 crore was paid through hawala channels in Dubai. Ranya got a commission of Rs 32 lakh for smuggling the gold.
In December 2024, she smuggled in 12.62 kg of gold worth Rs 9.94 crore. For this, payment of Rs 9.64 crore was made through hawala channels and Ranya Rao was paid Rs 32 lakh as commission.
In January this year, she smuggled in 14 kg of gold worth Rs 11.56 crore for which Rs 11.10 crore was paid through hawala channels and she earned Rs 55 lakh in commission. The following month, she brought in 13 kg of gold wirth Rs 11.81 crore. For this Rs 11.25 crore was paid through hawala channels and she was paid Rs 56 lakh.
In March, she managed to smuggle in 14 kg of gold worth Rs 13 crore for which Rs 11 crore was paid through hawala channels. However, Ranya Rao was apprehended by the DRI authorities on March 3 at the Kempegowda International Airport.
