Actor Ranya Rao confesses to using ‘hawala money’ to buy gold, DRI informs court

Kannada actor Ranya Rao

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told the court on March 25 that Kannada actress Ranya Rao confessed during her questioning that the funds for purchasing gold were transferred via hawala transactions.

“Money has been sent to Ranya Rao through hawala, she has confessed that," said senior advocate Madhu Rao of the DRI.

The 64th CCH Sessions Court in Bengaluru commenced hearings for Rao's bail plea in the gold smuggling case. After listening to both sides, the court set March 27 for delivering the bail order.

Gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai. Following this, searches were conducted at her residence, where officials recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.

Last week, the court denied bail to Tarun Konduru Raju, who was arrested on March 10 for his alleged connection to the gold smuggling case. The DRI had opposed his bail, citing concerns that he could abscond if released.

Officials pointed out that after Rao’s arrest, Raju had allegedly attempted to flee the country, prompting authorities to issue a lookout circular against him.

Investigators suspect that he played a key role in the smuggling operation, particularly in overseeing the logistics of transporting and distributing the illicit gold within India.

(With PTI inputs)