A special court in Bengaluru has turned down the bail request of Telugu actor Tarun Konduru Raju, who was arrested on March 10 for his alleged involvement in a gold smuggling operation linked to Kannada actress Ranya Rao. The Economic Offences Court refused to grant him bail after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) argued that he posed a flight risk. Officials noted that Raju had reportedly attempted to flee the country following Ranya Rao’s arrest, prompting authorities to issue a lookout notice against him.

Investigators claim that Raju played a significant role in the smuggling network, handling the movement and distribution of contraband gold within India. His co-accused, Harshavardhini Ranya, popularly known as Ranya Rao, was taken into custody on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Authorities intercepted her carrying 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore.

Ranya is the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao, who heads the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. A subsequent search of her home uncovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.

With both actors under scrutiny, the case continues to unravel shocking details about the high-profile smuggling racket.

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