‘Money Sent Through Hawala’: Ranya Rao’s Confession To DRI

New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Tuesday told the court that Kannada actor Ranya Rao has confessed during her interrogation that money to purchase gold was sent through hawala transactions.

“Money has been sent to Ranya Rao through hawala, she has confessed that,” said senior advocate Madhu Rao for the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

Ranya Rao’s bail plea hearing in the gold smuggling case began at the 64th CCH Sessions Court in Bengaluru. Her bail order was reserved for March 27 after the court heard arguments from both sides.

Gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai and she was taken into custody. 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 had dismissed the bail application of Tarun Konduru Raju, who was arrested on March 10 for his alleged role in the gold smuggling case. The DRI had strongly opposed his bail plea, citing concerns that he could abscond if released.

Officials pointed out that after Ranya’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.