Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Role of Central officials, Bengaluru jewellers under lens

Bengaluru: Sleuths investigating the gold smuggling racket involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao suspect the involvement of officials from central agencies, according to a high-ranking police officer from Karnataka.

They also believe that at least two Bengaluru-based jewellers were the intended recipients of the 17 foreign-origin gold bars — worth Rs 12.56 crore — seized from Ranya. 

Investigators are also focused on two other key questions: Who supplied the gold in Dubai? And how was the payment made — via cryptocurrency, cash, or a hawala transaction? 

Ranya, 33, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3 upon her arrival at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport from Dubai. The next day, the DRI said it seized gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 from her residence in Bengaluru. 

Ranya is the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (DGP), Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. 

While Ranya’s frequent trips to Dubai and other countries had drawn scrutiny in the run-up to her arrest, the DRI also discovered that she had been avoiding security checks at the airport due to a "bureaucratic protocol, courtesy of her stepfather". 

Still, investigators believe this whole scam would not have been possible without the active involvement of officials from central agencies, such as customs, immigration or even the DRI itself. 

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against gold smugglers using airports to "uncover the bad apples". 

"The CBI typically investigates special cases referred by courts or state governments. Its involvement means central government employees were complicit," the officer told DH. 

Multiple sources have also confirmed to DH that Ranya’s arrest was carried out by the DRI's central team, rather than its Bengaluru unit. 

The investigation now hinges on identifying both the supplier in Dubai and the buyers in Bengaluru, as Ranya claims she was merely a mule, the officer added. 

"Tracing the Dubai supplier and the local customers in Bengaluru will reveal the full extent of this smuggling racket," the officer explained. 

Investigators are currently analysing digital devices seized from Ranya and her house. They will later raid the jewellers and other suspects, the officer said. 

There are also suspicions that this case resembles the 2020 Kerala gold smuggling scandal, in which 30 kg of gold was found hidden in a diplomatic bag carried by a flyer. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) may also step in this case, the officer said.

The DRI has opposed Ranya's bail application, citing "national security".