Kannada Actress Ranya Rao, Three Others Face Maximum Jail Term as DRI Files Prosecution in ₹102-Crore Gold Smuggling Case
In one of the biggest gold smuggling crackdowns in recent years, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Thursday filed a detailed prosecution complaint seeking the maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment for Kannada actress Ranya Rao, 33, and three others accused of operating a massive smuggling network that trafficked over 127 kg of gold valued at more than ₹102 crore between 2024 and 2025.
The complaint was filed before the Special Court for Economic Offences, marking a significant step forward in a case that has shaken Karnataka’s film industry, law enforcement circles, and the country’s anti-smuggling apparatus.
The Case That Shook Karnataka: A Background
The investigation began unravelling on March 3, 2025, when the DRI intercepted actress Ranya Rao at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, upon her arrival from Dubai.
Officers grew suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in her movement and luggage checks.
A physical examination revealed that she had 14.2 kg of gold, valued at ₹12.56 crore, strapped to her body using surgical bandages — a smuggling technique commonly used by professional carriers.
Further inquiry exposed that this was not an isolated incident. DRI investigators found that Ranya had travelled to Dubai 31 times since early 2024, allegedly returning with concealed gold consignments almost every time.
The cumulative smuggled gold was estimated at 127 kg, exceeding ₹100 crore in value.
Her arrest triggered a chain reaction, leading investigators to the remaining members of the suspected syndicate.
A High-Profile Network Exposed
Ranya Rao’s involvement stunned the public, partly because she is the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, a Director General of Police–rank official.
The DRI soon uncovered links to others who played crucial roles in the smuggling network:
Telugu actor Tarun Konduru (36) — allegedly acted as a facilitator in transporting consignments and coordinating carriers.
Hawala operator Sahil Jain (29) — believed to be the financial conduit moving money between Dubai and India.
Bharat Jain (45) — a jeweller and uncle of Sahil Jain, allegedly responsible for melting, repackaging, and distributing the smuggled gold.
All four were arrested shortly after the operation began to unfold.
Detention Under COFEPOSA
To prevent the accused from resuming smuggling activities, the Central Government invoked the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974.
On April 22, detention orders were issued for Ranya Rao, Konduru, and Sahil Jain, authorising their custody for one year—a term that will extend until April 2026 as the orders are currently under challenge before the Karnataka High Court.
The DRI confirmed that three of the four accused are presently under preventive detention.
₹102-Crore Penalty Notice & Massive Prosecution Dossier
In September, the DRI issued a ₹102-crore penalty notice to Ranya Rao (also known by her legal name Harshavardhini Ranya) as the value-equivalent fine for smuggling gold during the 2024–25 period.
The prosecution complaint submitted this week runs to 350 pages, supported by more than 2,200 pages of documentary and digital evidence.
The agency has sought the maximum seven-year sentence under Section 135 of the Customs Act, 1962, applicable for repeated and large-scale smuggling offences.
Senior IPS Officer Questioned
Adding a sensitive layer to the case, the DRI recently questioned DGP K. Ramachandra Rao, the actress’s stepfather, regarding possible knowledge of her activities and the broader smuggling network.
The officer had been placed on compulsory leave by the Karnataka Government following her arrest, but was later reinstated on August 11, appointed as the Director General of Police, Directorate for Civil Rights Enforcement.
Investigators specifically questioned his awareness of the use of an official state government vehicle by Ranya during one of her return trips from Dubai — an act viewed as an abuse of administrative privilege.
A Case With Many Layers Still Unfolding
The DRI’s prosecution marks a major milestone, but officials indicate that additional layers of the smuggling network — including financiers, handlers, and Dubai-based operators — are still under investigation.
What began as the arrest of a film actress has now grown into a high-stakes case involving interstate networks, international financiers, and the scrutiny of a top-ranking police officer.
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