Wed Mar 12 16:56:20 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Police Withdraws from 14kg Gold Smuggling Probe

**Bengaluru, India** – The Karnataka state government has withdrawn the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) involvement in the investigation of the high-profile 14kg gold smuggling case involving Ranya Rao. This decision comes just two days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case.

Rao, a 33-year-old woman, was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3 with 14kg of gold concealed on her person. She has been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody. Her lawyer alleges numerous protocol violations during her arrest, including a failure to inform her of her rights, and claims she was subjected to verbal torture during her initial 24 hours in police custody.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), also investigating the case, has revealed a significant money laundering operation involving hawala transactions, suggesting a large smuggling syndicate was at play. The DRI alleges that Rao bypassed customs using the Green Channel with the assistance of a state protocol officer. Further investigation revealed Rao had made 27 trips to Dubai and the United States in the past six months, prompting the DRI’s initial interest. A search of Rao’s home uncovered gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore (approximately $250,000 USD) and ₹2.67 crore (approximately $325,000 USD) in cash. The DRI’s investigation will focus on unraveling the syndicate and its connections.

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