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Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case: ED And DRI Probe Deep Into 45 Suspicious Single-Day Trips To Dubai

Ranya Rao Case: Authorities have found that Ranya Rao made 52 trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, with 45 of them being quick one-day round trips.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are investigating Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested 15 days ago at Bengaluru airport with over 14 kg of gold for gold smuggling.

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Authorities found that Ranya made frequent international trips, had suspicious financial activities, and had connections to a hawala network, which has led to a deeper investigation into her smuggling activities. Ranya’s stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, a senior police officer, has also been questioned by the police about his possible role in helping with the smuggling network.

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Ranya’s Trip To Dubai:

Authorities have found that Ranya Rao made 52 trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, with 45 of them being quick one-day round trips. In early 2025, she made 27 visits, mostly through Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai, which has raised suspicions about her involvement in a gold smuggling ring.

The DRI showed evidence in court that Ranya Rao and her friend Tarun Raju made 26 trips to Dubai, following a pattern of leaving in the morning and returning by evening, which raised suspicion. In 2023, Rao started a company called Vira Diamonds Trading in Dubai, which is suspected to be a cover for money laundering, with Tarun Raju as her partner. She also started a company called Bio Enho India in Bengaluru in 2022, which she later changed to Xiroda India.

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These businesses, along with her financial activities, are being closely investigated because officials think money may have been sent to unknown sources connected to gold smuggling. Investigators believe her businesses might have been used to hide illegal money.

Key Figures in the Investigation: Tarun Raju, Jatin Hukkeri, and Ramachandra Rao

Businessman and actor Tarun Raju, also known as Virat Konduru, is a major focus of the ED’s investigation. He is believed to have helped buy gold in Dubai and manage illegal money transfers through hawala. The DRI has found evidence of illegal money movements connected to these gold purchases, pointing to a larger smuggling network.

Raju, who was arrested and named as the second accused, is currently in judicial custody for 15 days. His bail hearing took place on Tuesday, where his lawyers argued there are no independent charges against him, while the DRI raised concerns about his travel history and possible flight risk.

Ranya Rao’s husband, Jatin Hukkeri, and her stepfather, Ramachandra Rao, are also being investigated. Hukkeri, who is seeking protection from arrest, claims that they have been living separately since December 2024. Ramachandra Rao, who has been on compulsory leave since March 15, has denied any involvement in Ranya’s arrest but is under investigation for possibly helping with her travels.

An investigation led by IAS officer Gaurav Gupta is currently taking place, and the report is expected to be given to the government on March 19. Ranya Rao’s request for bail was rejected twice, first by a lower court and then by the Special Court for Economic Offences. She has now appealed to a Sessions court, and her hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shefali Singh

Shefali Singh

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Shefali Singh is a skilled Senior Sub-Editor with a strong focus on general news. With years of experience in the media industry, Shefali has a sharp eye for detail and a passion for ensuring every story is accurate, engaging, and well-structured. She excels at curating news content, maintaining high editorial quality, and keeping a consistent tone on English-language websites. Shefali is also known for her ability to fact-check, edit for clarity, and perfect grammar, helping digital platforms thrive. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from IP University. Shefali’s expertise in SEO ensures that stories reach the right audience at the right time, maximizing their impact. Previously, Shefali worked with top English news platforms like ANI and All India Radio, covering a wide range of topics from current affairs to human interest stories. She has also interviewed key figures from the UP community, such as actor Faisal Malik, politician Malook Nagar, and media personality Nithari Kand. Key Articles & Features: https://news24online.com/business/tcs-faces-biggest-loss-of-rs-53185-crore-what-it-means-for-ratan-tatas-employees-details-inside/484838/ https://news24online.com/india/who-is-agrata-sharma-kumar-vishwas-daughter-making-business-strides-starting-a-new-chapter-in-life/494916/ https://news24online.com/business/jiohotstar-hits-100-million-paid-subscribers-after-disney-reliance-merger/515384/ Achievements & Recognitions: Fact-Checking Excellence: Dedicated to meticulous fact-checking in collaboration with the news desk team to ensure content reliability and accuracy. SEO Mastery: Expertise in optimizing digital content for better reach and engagement. Numerous articles written by Shefali have been featured on Google Discover. Contact: 📧 Email: [email protected]

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First published on: Mar 19, 2025 03:24 PM IST


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