The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has joined the investigation into the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao. Raids are currently underway in Bengaluru as part of the ongoing probe.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after authorities found over 14 kg of gold worth several crores hidden on her body. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which initially arrested Rao, has sought assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to further investigate the case, according to reports from news agency ANI.
An FIR has been filed by the CBI based on a complaint by Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of the DRI. The complaint suggests a potential smuggling network operating out of Dubai, following the arrest of two foreign nationals with 21.28 kg of gold at Mumbai Airport on March 6—just days after Rao’s arrest.
During her interrogation, Rao claimed that this was her first attempt at smuggling gold, and she was instructed by anonymous callers to collect and deliver the gold from Dubai to Bengaluru. She also revealed that she learned how to hide gold through YouTube tutorials.
The Karnataka government had initially ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to assist with the probe but later withdrew the directive. Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that the CBI and DRI would continue their investigations independently, despite opposition claims of interference.
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