Investigation Launched into Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case
Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested for smuggling 14 kg of gold upon her arrival at Bengaluru airport without documentation. Follow-up searches revealed substantial cash and jewellery at her residence. A CID investigation has been ordered into this case, indicating potential police involvement and the need for thorough scrutiny of Rao’s activities.
Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested for attempting to smuggle 14 kilograms of gold upon her arrival at Kempegowda International Airport from Dubai on March 4. While passing through the green channel, designated for travelers with no items to declare, Rao denied possessing any dutiable goods. However, she lacked any purchase receipts or legal documentation for the gold.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered that Rao had concealed gold bars on her person using crepe bandages and tissues, as well as hidden within her shoes and clothing. A total of 14,213.050 grams of 24 karat gold was retrieved, exceeding the permissible limit of Rs 1 crore as per the Customs Act of 1962.
Subsequent searches at Rao’s Lavelle Road residence unearthed cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore and jewellery valued over Rs 2 crore, for which she could not provide sourcing documentation. Investigations revealed past transactions with Dubai Customs, where she had professed intentions to transport gold elsewhere but instead arrived in India.
Rao has been charged with Rs 4.83 crore in duty evasion, significantly surpassing the Rs 50 lakhs threshold, leading authorities to believe she may be involved in ongoing smuggling activities. Her consistent travel to Dubai raised concerns regarding her potential continuation of these illegal activities, prompting her arrest to prevent further offenses and protect evidence.
A memo from the Department of Revenue Intelligence outlined her lack of cooperation during the inquiry, indicating her non-disclosure of critical facts. To ensure thorough investigations, the Karnataka government has mandated a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into Rao’s case and potential police collusion. Additionally, there is a separate inquiry into her step-father, DGP Ramachandra Rao.
The arrest of Ranya Rao underscores a significant case of gold smuggling and duty evasion in India. Her undocumented gold and large sums of cash raise serious concerns regarding her activities and connections to wider smuggling networks. The investigations by both the DRI and the CID aim to bring clarity to potential police misconduct and address the broader implications of such illicit operations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
