A Bengaluru special court for economic offences has turned down the bail plea of Sahil Sakariya Jain, a hawala dealer involved in the gold smuggling scandal tied to Kannada actress Ranya Rao. The court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, reflects the severity of the charges and Jain’s key role in an extensive smuggling operation spanning India and international borders.

Jain, 26, was arrested on March 26 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) after being identified as the recipient of 14.2 kg of gold smuggled from Dubai by Ranya Rao and Telugu actor Tarun Konduru Raju. Investigators allege Jain facilitated hawala transactions, transferring nearly Rs 39.39 crore to Dubai. The charges further claim that Jain aided Rao in disposing of almost 50 kg of smuggled gold between November 2024 and February 2025, valued at over Rs 40 crore.

The court emphasized that under the Customs Act, involvement in smuggling, even without direct possession of the goods, makes one liable for prosecution. The ruling took into account Jain’s previous record and his alleged awareness of the illegal activities he was participating in.

For context, Ranya Rao, arrested at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3 with 14.8 kg of gold hidden in a waist belt, was suspected to be part of a larger syndicate. Searches at her home uncovered more gold and large sums of cash, linking Jain to the distribution and hawala operations.