Bengaluru: The Customs Department has imposed a Rs 89.91 crore penalty on Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya, popularly known as Ranya Rao, in connection with the alleged gold smuggling case involving consignments brought from Dubai to Bengaluru.
The penalty was imposed through a 399-page adjudication order following the Customs investigation into the alleged gold-smuggling network involving Ranya Rao and three others. The four accused have been collectively penalised more than Rs 244 crore.
The latest Customs action is separate from the criminal and money-laundering proceedings arising from the case.
Three associates also face penalties
According to the latest Customs proceedings, Tarun Konduru Raju was penalised Rs 49.51 crore, while Sahil Jain and Bharat Kumar Jain were each fined Rs 53.06 crore.
The penalties follow the investigation into alleged gold-smuggling activities between March 2024 and February 2025 and the alleged roles of the four accused.
Earlier, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had issued show-cause notices proposing substantial penalties against those accused in the case.
In September 2025, the DRI had sought a penalty of around Rs 102.55 crore against Ranya Rao in connection with its investigation into the alleged smuggling of more than 127 kg of gold.
Case began with airport interception
The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when DRI officials intercepted Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after her arrival from Dubai.
Officials recovered 14.213 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around Rs 12.56 crore, from her possession, according to the subsequent investigations.
Searches conducted after her arrest also resulted in the recovery of gold jewellery worth around Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in Indian currency.
The DRI investigation subsequently examined alleged smuggling activities over a wider period and the involvement of Rao and her associates.
ED probe alleged 127.287 kg gold was smuggled
The Enforcement Directorate, in its prosecution complaint filed in February 2026, alleged that 127.287 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 102.55 crore was smuggled into India between March 2024 and March 2025.
The agency alleged that the gold was disposed of in the domestic market through a network involving handlers and jewellers, while the resulting proceeds were moved through hawala and banking channels.
The ED has separately pursued proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In July 2025, it had provisionally attached immovable properties linked to Ranya Rao valued at Rs 34.12 crore.
Customs penalty separate from criminal proceedings
The latest penalty is part of the Customs adjudication process and is separate from the criminal case and the ED’s money-laundering investigation.
The Customs proceedings concern alleged violations arising from the import of gold and the roles attributed to the four accused.
Authorities can initiate recovery proceedings in accordance with applicable law if adjudicated penalties are not paid. The case also continues to involve separate proceedings before the relevant courts and agencies.
The latest Customs order therefore adds another financial liability to a case that has already involved investigations by the DRI, ED and other authorities into the alleged smuggling of gold from Dubai into India.