Kannada actor Ranya Rao confesses to using hawala money for gold smuggling: DRI

Actor Ranya Rao, arrested earlier this month with 14.8 kg of gold at Kempegowda International Airport, has confessed to using hawala money for gold purchases, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed a court on Tuesday. The revelation comes as authorities intensify their probe into suspected financial irregularities.

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During Rao’s bail plea hearing, the DRI’s counsel, Madhu Rao, stated that a judicial inquiry under Section 108 had been initiated to uncover the full scope of the illegal transactions. Her bail plea has been rejected twice, first by a lower court and then by the Special Court for Economic Offences.

The 31-year-old actor was arrested on March 3 when authorities seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from her possession at the airport. A subsequent search of her residence led to the recovery of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash.

Suspicious Travel History Raises Red Flags

The DRI’s investigation also exposed a highly suspicious travel pattern. Rao, along with her friend and co-accused Tarun Raju, reportedly took 26 trips to Dubai, returning the same day, fueling suspicions of a smuggling operation. Between 2023 and 2025, she made 52 trips, with 45 being single-day round trips. In January 2025 alone, she visited Dubai 27 times.

Authorities believe these frequent trips were used to smuggle gold into India, making the case one of the most significant smuggling busts in recent times.