Thu Mar 13 16:39:12 UTC 2025: ## Kannada Actress Involved in Gold Smuggling Case: ED Joins Investigation

**Bengaluru, March 14, 2025** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has joined the investigation into a major gold smuggling case involving Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police K. Ramachandra Rao. Following a raid on multiple locations in Bengaluru on Thursday, the ED is probing the actress’s alleged involvement in a gold smuggling ring.

Ranya Rao was apprehended on March 3rd at Kempegowda International Airport attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made the arrest, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR on March 7th. The Karnataka state government has also initiated a separate investigation into potential misuse of state police resources and any possible role played by Mr. Rao.

Thursday’s ED raids targeted the residences of Ranya Rao and Tarun Raj, both arrested by the DRI. The ED also searched the premises of a gold mortgage and loan company in Koramangala, suspected of involvement in laundering the smuggled gold. Simultaneously, the DRI searched the residence of Ms. Rao’s husband, Jatin Hukkeri, though a Karnataka High Court order prevents coercive action against him.

The DRI previously recovered ₹2.67 crore in cash and ₹2.06 crore worth of jewelry from Ranya Rao’s residence, for which she failed to provide a source or receipts. While Rao claims she was merely a courier, the ED is investigating whether she was actively involved in the purchase of gold in Dubai and its subsequent sale in India. If so, the ED will investigate the source of funds and the methods of transferring money between India and Dubai. The investigation is ongoing.

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