Investigation Unveils Gold Smuggling Operation Involving Actors…

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, and her associate Tarun Konduru Raju were arrested for alleged gold smuggling linked to hawala channels. Rao was apprehended at the airport with gold bars upon returning from Dubai, and both actors reportedly undertook numerous trips together for smuggling purposes. The investigation involves multiple agencies and suggests a larger syndicate may be operant.

Ranya Rao, a Kannada actress, and her Telugu actor associate Tarun Konduru Raju were arrested in connection with a gold smuggling operation, according to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Investigators disclosed that Rao has been travelling to Dubai frequently, with recent records indicating she made 56 trips within a year. DRI officials noted a strong link between the two actors, highlighting their joint travel on numerous occasions over the last two years.

On March 3, Rao was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport, where she was found carrying 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at ₹12.5 crore upon arriving from Dubai. Raju was arrested a week later. Special counsel for DRI, Madhu N Rai, conveyed to the special court that Rao and Raju undertook 26 joint trips between January and March of this year alone, suggesting a clear intention of smuggling gold, particularly due to their quick turnaround trips.

Concerns over Rao’s potential to flee were raised, especially since she holds a resident identity card for the UAE, which may allow her to evade authorities if released on bail. The investigation indicates the use of hawala networks for transferring funds from India to Dubai, implicating a more extensive syndicate in gold smuggling.

Further scrutiny revealed that Rao and Raju established a gold trading company in Dubai, with verification of that information currently ongoing. Investigators are also examining potential transactions they conducted in Europe and the United States, alongside the possible links of their syndicate to those regions.

Multiple agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), have initiated separate inquiries to investigate the international syndicate and any involvement of government officials in facilitating the smuggling operations. Rao allegedly leveraged her stepfather, IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao’s influence, to bypass airport checks. However, Ramachandra Rao denied any allegations of involvement in the gold smuggling scheme, despite past scrutiny related to other cases during his law enforcement career.

In summary, the gold smuggling case involving Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju highlights the use of hawala channels for illicit fund transfers and indicates a larger syndicate’s activities across international borders. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved to uncover the full extent of the operations and any possible collusion with government officials.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com