Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
By : Vidya
Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao, also known as Ranya Rao, has been denied bail by a Bengaluru sessions court in a ₹12.56 crore gold smuggling case, marking her third bail rejection in two weeks.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) presented evidence linking her to the smuggling racket, including admissions of financing gold purchases through hawala networks and frequent single-day trips to Dubai for smuggling activities.
The investigation uncovered gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport, along with gold jewelry and cash during searches at her residence. Additionally, businessman Sahil Sakariya Jain from Ballari has been arrested for aiding in the disposal of smuggled gold and is now in DRI custody.
The case has intensified with forensic analysis revealing connections between Rao and other suspects, raising concerns about hawala transactions funding the illicit trade under Customs Act violations.