Fri Apr 25 15:50:26 UTC 2025: ## Bollywood Actress Faces Preventive Detention for Gold Smuggling
**Bengaluru, April 25, 2025** – Bollywood actress Ranya Rao faces preventive detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act after being accused of smuggling 14.2 kg of gold at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3rd. The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) invoked the act, which allows for detention without bail for up to a year, to prevent further smuggling activities.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which arrested Rao, is sponsoring the COFEPOSA action. This comes as the sessions court is yet to rule on her bail application. The High Court of Karnataka’s advisory board will review the case within three months.
Investigations revealed Rao’s alleged involvement in a larger smuggling operation, facilitated by gold trader Sahil Sakariya Jain. Jain, previously arrested and released on similar charges, allegedly helped Rao dispose of smuggled gold and transfer money via hawala to Dubai to purchase more. Authorities allege Rao smuggled 49.6 kg of gold worth ₹40.13 crore through Jain, with ₹38.39 crore sent to Dubai for gold purchases and ₹1.73 crore transferred to Rao as profit. The investigation also uncovered 23 trips Rao made to Dubai between 2023 and March 2025. Further probes into her financial transactions are underway.
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