Ranya Rao, Tarun Konduru linked to smuggling 100 kg gold from Dubai: DRI tells High Court

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has informed the Karnataka High Court that actors Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru, also known as Virat Konduru, allegedly smuggled 100 kilograms of gold into India from Dubai. This revelation came during a bail hearing concerning their arrest in connection with a major gold smuggling racket.

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According to the DRI, the investigation uncovered that 11 out of 31 trips made by the two actors to Dubai since early 2024 were linked to smuggling activities. Notably, 25 of these visits were reportedly single-day trips, raising further suspicion about their purpose.

The probe also revealed that Customs declarations made in Dubai and records related to hawala dealer Sahil Jain, who has also been arrested, supported the allegation. Apart from the overall estimated quantity smuggled, officials seized 14.2 kg of gold from Rao at Bengaluru airport on March 3.

The court was also informed that Rao availed special airport protocol services, typically reserved for government officials, allegedly facilitated by her stepfather, a senior police officer. Meanwhile, the DRI said it had retrieved four more Customs declarations from 2024 during ongoing investigations.

Legal representatives for the accused challenged the DRI’s procedures during Rao’s airport interception and denied Konduru’s involvement in smuggling operations. The High Court has asked the DRI to furnish full details of the declarations as the case progresses.