The gold was to be handed over to an unknown person. When asked who was to hand over the smuggled gold in Bengaluru, Ranya said, ‘I was asked to go to the service road after the airport toll gate to hand over the gold to an unknown person. The gold had to be kept in an auto rickshaw near the signal, but I did not have the auto rickshaw number.’
The Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is trying to track the smuggling gang based on data from Ranya’s phone and laptop.
At the same time, Ranya refused to identify the caller from the unknown number. She said, ‘I am not completely sure who called me. The caller spoke in African-American English. After handing over the gold, he left immediately. I never met him again. The man was about 6 feet tall and fair.’
CBI registered FIR in the Ranya Rao case
In Ranya Rao case, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) asked CBI to investigate. On the complaint of DRI Additional Director Abhishek Chandra Gupta, CBI has registered FIR in Ranya Rao gold smuggling case.
2 points of DRI’s complaint…
Three days after Ranya’s arrest on March 3, two foreign nationals were also arrested at Mumbai airport. 21.28 kg of gold worth Rs 18.92 crore was recovered from them.
A syndicate may be behind gold smuggling from Dubai to India. This syndicate is being run from Dubai because, like Ranya, two foreign nationals also came and went from Dubai several times.
Karnataka government cancels CID investigation, minister says – two agencies already engaged
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, March 12, the Karnataka government canceled its directive to investigate the negligence of police officers at Kempegowda Airport in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. This investigation was ordered on the night of March 10.
On the state government’s decision to withdraw the CID investigation, Karnataka government minister Priyank Kharge said that it is the government’s prerogative. CBI and DRI are investigating the matter. The opposition is saying that we are trying to disrupt the investigation. There is no question of coming under anyone’s pressure. We work independently and transparently.
Ranya was arrested with 14.2 kg of gold
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru with 14.2 kg of gold. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had said Ranya went to Dubai 27 times in a year.
Later, a case of gold smuggling was registered against Ranya. The police also searched Ranya’s luxurious apartment on Lavelle Road. Jewelry worth Rs 2.1 crore and cash worth Rs 2.7 crore were also recovered from there. Ranya is in judicial custody till March 24
Ranya Rao was produced in the special court on March 11. The court has sent her to judicial custody till March 24. Ranya accused the DRI of torturing her in court. She started crying in the court. Ranya said- ‘I am in shock and emotionally broken.’
Ranya has worked in Kannada films Manikya and Patki. Ranya hid the gold by applying tape on her body, thighs and waist. She used a modified jacket and wrist belt to hide the gold in her clothes.
She used to get Rs 1 lakh for bringing one kg of gold
Sources claim that Ranya used to get Rs 1 lakh for bringing every kg of gold. In this way, she earned Rs 12 to 13 lakh in every trip. According to DRI officials, Ranya Rao returned to India from Dubai via Emirates flight.
Had gone to Dubai 4 times in 15 days
Security agencies were already keeping an eye on her activities, as she had gone to Dubai 4 times in the last 15 days. DRI’s Delhi team already knew about Ranya’s involvement in gold smuggling. Therefore, the officers reached the airport two hours before her flight landed on March 3.
Attempt to escape customs through police
According to the information, as soon as Ranya landed at the airport, she introduced herself as the daughter of Karnataka DGP. Also, she tried to leave the airport by contacting the local police, but the DRI team took her to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru for questioning. Investigation revealed that Ranya was hiding gold in her clothes. She was detained at 7 pm on March 3.
Was smuggling in the name of business
During the investigation, Ranya claimed that she had gone to Dubai in connection with business. However, DRI officials suspect that she may be part of a larger smuggling network. Now, the investigating agencies are trying to find out whether this is the first time this has happened or if they have been involved in gold smuggling earlier too.
