Jatin Hukkeri, the husband of Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from any coercive action by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) following his wife’s arrest for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold at the Bengaluru International Airport. The gold, valued at Rs 12.56 crore, was discovered on March 3 when Ranya Rao, 33, was intercepted upon her arrival from Dubai on an Emirates flight.
In his petition, Hukkeri, a well-known architect in Bengaluru, requested that the DRI adhere to due process before taking any action against him for potential violations under the Customs Act or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The DRI had issued a summons to him on March 4 to appear for questioning in connection with the case.
Ranya Rao was apprehended after intelligence led the DRI to believe she was carrying a significant amount of undeclared gold. The actress, who had travelled to Dubai frequently in recent months, reportedly failed to declare the gold at customs, evading duty worth Rs 4.83 crore. In the subsequent search of her Bengaluru home, DRI officers seized gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in Indian currency, bringing the total value of the seizure to Rs 17.29 crore.
Family Tensions and Uncertainty Surrounding the Marriage
Ranya Rao’s marriage to Jatin Hukkeri, which took place only four months ago, is reportedly under strain. Sources close to the family indicate that the couple’s relationship has faced challenges, and family interventions, including those from her stepfather, were required to prevent separation. There are also claims that Rao had confided in her mother about her emotional distress related to her marriage.
It is still unclear whether Hukkeri was aware of his wife’s alleged involvement in gold smuggling, especially considering her multiple trips to Dubai over the last six months. While some sources suggest that the DRI received intelligence from a family member, it remains unconfirmed whether this led to Rao’s arrest.
A Deeper Investigation: Syndicate Connections and Second Arrest
The investigation into the gold smuggling case is ongoing, with authorities suggesting that Rao may have been part of a larger syndicate rather than simply acting as a mule for transporting the gold. Another key arrest in the case was made recently. Tarun Konduru Raju, a 31-year-old associate of Rao, was arrested in connection with the smuggling operation. Raju, who belongs to a prominent Bengaluru business family with interests in sectors like hospitality, education, and energy, is said to have supplied the gold from Dubai.
As investigations continue, questions remain regarding the full extent of Rao’s involvement and the role of her family in the operation. Hukkeri’s legal team will await the next steps in the investigation, hoping to avoid further legal entanglements amid this high-profile case.
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