Kannada actor Ranya Rao ’confessed’ to using hawala money to buy gold, claims DRI

Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao admitted to using the illegal ‘hawala’ channel for transferring funds to buy gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told a court on Tuesday, reported PTI.

During a court proceeding in Bengaluru, advocate Madhu Rao of the DRI asserted that the accused had admitted to the financial transaction being conducted via unofficial means.

Ranya Rao was arrested earlier in March for her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case. During the proceedings, Rao’s counsel Kiran Jawali argued for her release.

Following a detailed hearing of arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, the special court bench reserved its order on the bail plea in the gold smuggling case until 27 March.

According to the prosecution, Ranya Rao admitted to using hawala channels to facilitate gold purchases, a claim that strengthens the case against her.

As part of the legal process, officials have invoked Section 108 of the Customs Act, which mandates a judicial inquiry, reported PTI, adding the authorities clarified that this is not a police interrogation but a judicial investigation to scrutinise financial irregularities and potential violations of law.

The Ranya Rao gold smuggling case:

The stepdaughter of Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on 3 March after DRI officials found her carrying gold bars in a jacket.

The authorities seized 14.2 kilograms of gold from her person, worth approximately ₹12.56 crore. Later, the official also raided her residence and seized cash and gold jewellery worth ₹4.73 crores, bringing the total amount to ₹17.29 crores.

FIR by CBI:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also filed an FIR based on a complaint by Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI.

The FIR was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, along with several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS). According to the complaint, two foreign nationals were arrested at Mumbai Airport on March 6 for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold into India, valued at ₹18.92 crore, PTI reported.

As the probe continues, the authorities are keeping a tab on the involvement of public servants and others in the nexus.

More to come...