Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: DRI Uncovers Alarming Details
NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has made startling revelations in the gold smuggling case linked to actress Ranya Rao. The DRI informed a special court that a Karnataka police protocol officer was involved in facilitating the smuggling operations. This revelation comes as the agency opposed her bail plea, citing that Rao had made 27 trips to Dubai since January this year.
Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a high-ranking police officer in Karnataka. The DRI, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for combating smuggling and other illicit trade activities in India.
Details of the Smuggling Operation
During the court proceedings, the DRI disclosed a sophisticated methodology behind the smuggling of gold, including the use of a police protocol officer to bypass security and the utilization of Hawala transactions to fund gold purchases in Dubai. The agency highlighted the involvement of a larger syndicate in these operations.
Judge Vishwanath C Gowdar denied bail, emphasizing Ranya’s frequent travels to Dubai and potential flight risk. The court noted that she was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport with gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore, alongside additional gold jewelry and cash found during a search of her residence.
Implications of the Case
The court stressed the serious implications of the alleged offences for India’s economy and security, considering them cognizable and non-bailable. The DRI also indicated that Ranya had not cooperated during custody, raising concerns about evidence manipulation.
As investigations continue, both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are involved in scrutinizing the case. The Karnataka government has appointed Gaurav Gupta to investigate any potential involvement of Ramachandra Rao.
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