Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint against Kannada actress Harshavardini Ranya alias Ranya Rao and her associates, alleging that they smuggled 127.287 kg of gold worth ₹102.55 crore into India over a span of one year.
The complaint, equivalent to a police chargesheet, was submitted on Wednesday before the Special Court for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Bengaluru.
Accused named in complaint
Apart from Ranya Rao, the ED named Tarun Konduru Raju alias Virat Konduru, described as her key associate, and Sahil Sakariya Jain, a Ballari-based jeweller who allegedly helped in disposing of the smuggled gold in the domestic market.
The agency has invoked offences under Section 3 (money laundering) and Section 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the PMLA, 2002.
According to the prosecution complaint, investigations revealed that between March 2024 and March 2025, 127.287 kg of gold valued at approximately ₹102.55 crore was smuggled into the country. The contraband was allegedly sold through a network of handlers and jewellers, generating proceeds largely in cash.
Hawala and layering of funds
The ED alleged that the cash generated from the sale of smuggled gold was settled through hawala channels in India and abroad. The funds were then layered and routed through multiple bank accounts and entities to project them as legitimate business transactions.
In its complaint, the agency described the operation as an organised and structured mechanism involving procurement of gold overseas, illegal import into India, cash-based disposal and laundering of proceeds through hawala and formal banking channels.
Such activities, the ED stated, undermine legal trade systems, distort financial transparency and erode public trust in institutions regulating cross-border transactions.
Searches and attachment of properties
Searches conducted on May 21 and 22, 2025, at 16 locations across Karnataka allegedly led to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, and Indian as well as foreign currency.
Statements of several individuals were recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA during the course of the investigation.
The ED further stated that immovable properties worth ₹34.12 crore held in Ranya’s name were provisionally attached under Section 5(1) of the PMLA through Provisional Attachment Order No. 16/2025 dated July 4, 2025.
Origin of probe
The money laundering investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on March 7, 2025. The FIR followed a complaint filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
On March 3, 2025, the DRI intercepted Ranya at the Kempegowda International Airport and allegedly recovered 14.213 kg of concealed foreign-origin gold valued at ₹12.56 crore.
Subsequent searches reportedly led to the seizure of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore. The DRI later arrested her alleged accomplices and filed a prosecution complaint under Section 135 of the Customs Act.
Lodged under COFEPOSA
Ranya Rao and her associates are currently lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after being detained under the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974.
The ED’s filing of the prosecution complaint marks a significant development in the case, which involves alleged large-scale gold smuggling and laundering of proceeds amounting to over ₹100 crore.
The matter will now proceed before the Special PMLA Court in Bengaluru, where the court will examine the complaint and supporting evidence to determine the next course of legal action.