Kannada film actor Ranya Rao (33) was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) while trying to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold, worth over ₹ 12 crore from Dubai, at Kempegowda International Airport on March 2, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Ranya Rao/Faceboook
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday (March 13, 2025) raided multiple locations in Bengaluru and some other places as part of a money laundering probe linked to the alleged gold smuggling racket in which Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested by the DRI in Karnataka, official sources said.
A case has been field under the Prevention of Money laundering Act, taking cognisance of a recent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR and a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) case in which Ms. Rao was arrested, the sources said.
Multiple locations in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, are being searched, they said.
On March 11, hours after issuing an order entrusting the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the Ranya Rao case, the State government withdrew its order.
The decision to withdraw the order came after senior officials clarified to the higher ups on how two inquires cannot be undertaken on the same matter simultaneously.
Meanwhile, investigation continues in the gold smuggling case, with the DRI insisting that proper procedures were followed, while Ms. Ranya’s advocate continue to challenge the investigation process. The Special Court of Economic Offences is set to issue the the actor’s bail order on March 14.
More details are awaited regarding the ED raids.
(With inputs from The Hindu Bureau)
Published – March 13, 2025 02:25 pm IST