Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, has admitted to using the illegal ‘hawala’ network to transfer funds for purchasing gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed a court on Tuesday, as reported by PTI.
During a court hearing in Bengaluru, DRI advocate Madhu Rao stated that the accused confessed to conducting financial transactions through unofficial channels. Ranya Rao, who was arrested in early March for her alleged role in a gold smuggling case, is currently seeking bail. Her counsel, Kiran Jawali, argued for her release, while the prosecution maintained that her admission of using hawala strengthened the case against her. After hearing arguments from both sides, the special court bench reserved its order on her bail plea until March 27.
As part of the investigation, officials have invoked Section 108 of the Customs Act, which requires a judicial inquiry into financial irregularities. Authorities clarified that this is a judicial investigation rather than a police interrogation.
The Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 after DRI officials discovered her carrying gold bars hidden in a jacket. Authorities seized 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. Further raids at her residence led to the recovery of cash and gold jewelry worth Rs 4.73 crore, bringing the total seizure amount to Rs 17.29 crore.
CBI FIR and Broader Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR based on a complaint by Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI. The FIR, filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), links the case to a larger smuggling network.
On March 6, two foreign nationals were arrested at Mumbai Airport for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold worth Rs 18.92 crore into India, PTI reported. Authorities are now investigating the possible involvement of public servants and other individuals in the smuggling nexus.