Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 27: The Bengaluru Sessions Court is set to pronounce its verdict on March 27 on the bail plea of actress Ranya Rao, the prime accused in a multi-crore gold smuggling case. Rao was arrested on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth over Rs 12.56 crore and is currently in judicial custody.

The prosecution has argued that Ranya Rao admitted to purchasing gold through hawala transactions, linking her to a larger smuggling network. Authorities have also invoked Section 108 to launch a judicial inquiry, which could expose further financial irregularities.

Ranya Rao’s close associate Tarun Raj, the second accused in the case, is also awaiting the court’s decision on his bail plea. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Sahil Jain, a gold merchant, on Wednesday for his alleged role in disposing of the smuggled gold. Jain has been remanded to four days in police custody for interrogation.

According to DRI’s legal counsel, Madhu Rao, Ranya and Tarun travelled to Dubai at least 26 times, often leaving in the morning and returning the same day. Evidence suggests that Tarun carried gold from Dubai to Hyderabad, with tickets allegedly booked by Ranya.

Adding to the controversy, senior police officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao, Ranya’s stepfather, has also been questioned in the case. The Karnataka government placed him on compulsory leave on March 15, following allegations that Ranya misused his official status to bypass security checks at airports.

With three arrests so far and investigations widening, the court’s decision on Ranya Rao’s and Tarun Raj’s bail pleas will be crucial in shaping the course of this high-profile case.