The case surrounding Kannada actor Ranya Rao has taken a dramatic turn with new revelations pointing to a web of financial crimes and international smuggling operations. During the latest bail plea hearing, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed the court that Ranya confessed to funding her gold purchases through hawala channels — an illegal method of transferring money without any formal banking trail. This admission deepens the allegations, suggesting not only smuggling but also large-scale money laundering.
Her bail plea has already been rejected twice — first by a lower court and then by the Special Court for Economic Offences. The latest hearing saw intense arguments from both sides, after which the court reserved its decision, now scheduled to be announced on March 27.
The DRI’s investigation, which initially began as a gold smuggling case, has now expanded into a complex probe involving multiple financial irregularities, suspicious international travel patterns, and high-profile connections. Ranya was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, where authorities discovered 14.8 kg of 24-carat gold, valued at ₹12.56 crore, concealed on her body. The gold was meticulously hidden — wrapped around her waist and calves with bandages and tissues, with more gold stashed inside her shoes and pockets.
A follow-up raid at her residence uncovered additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, further intensifying suspicions of a large, organized smuggling operation.
What has truly raised eyebrows is Ranya’s extraordinary travel history. Records reveal that she made 52 trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, with an astonishing 45 of those being same-day return flights. January 2025 alone saw her travel to Dubai 27 times, using routes through Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai airports—a pattern investigators believe aligns with organized smuggling activity.
The DRI also brought forward damning evidence involving Ranya’s close associate and fellow actor, Tarun Raju, who has been named as a co-accused. Authorities traced financial transactions showing Ranya transferring money to Tarun’s account and booking his flight tickets. It’s alleged that Tarun would frequently fly from Dubai to Hyderabad on short trips, potentially acting as a courier for smuggled gold.
Further complicating the case is the revelation that a Protocol Officer who facilitated Ranya’s airport movements confessed to following instructions from DGP Ramchandra Rao, Ranya’s stepfather. This shocking disclosure triggered widespread backlash, leading to DGP Rao being placed on compulsory leave as investigations continue into his possible role in enabling the smuggling operation.
Ranya now faces multiple serious charges under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. The DRI is pressing for a full-scale inquiry under Section 108, which allows investigators to summon individuals for testimony and collect detailed financial records to uncover the full extent of the criminal network.
The upcoming March 27 bail order is pivotal. If denied again, Ranya could face prolonged judicial custody, giving investigators more time to probe the alleged hawala links, track the origins of the seized gold, and expose potential international ties to the smuggling syndicate.
This case has evolved from a celebrity scandal into a high-stakes investigation with far-reaching consequences. It has drawn national attention — not just because of Ranya’s fame, but due to the involvement of high-ranking officials, the sophisticated smuggling methods, and the vast sums of money at play. The coming days are likely to bring more explosive revelations as authorities dig deeper into this tangled web of crime, money, and power.
