Actor Ranya Rao is implicated in a gold smuggling and hawala racket worth over Rs 38 crore. Her associate, Sahil Jain, assisted in the transactions, including disposing of significant amounts of gold and cash through hawala routes. Rao, arrested at Bengaluru airport, is also linked to substantial amounts of cash and jewelry found at her residence. Her connections, including that of her stepfather, a senior IPS officer, are being scrutinized amid the investigation.
Ranya Rao, an actor recently arrested for gold smuggling, is also implicated in a considerable hawala racket exceeding Rs 38 crore, as stated by investigators. NDTV has obtained a remand copy detailing her alleged illegal activities with Sahil Jain, the third accused, who played a significant role in facilitating both the smuggling of gold and the movement of money via hawala routes.
Alongside Ranya Rao, her accomplice Tarun Raju has been arrested, making him the second accused in this case. Sahil Jain, identified as a gold merchant, allegedly assisted Ranya in disposing of smuggled gold. Investigators report that Sahil aided Rao in disposing of 14 kg of gold valued at Rs 11.5 crore and facilitating hawala transactions totaling Rs 55 lakh in Bengaluru during January alone.
The remand documents indicate that he further helped Ranya Rao dispose of 13 kg of gold worth Rs 11.8 crore and facilitated hawala transfers equivalent to Rs 11.25 crore to Dubai in February. In total, Sahil has claimed to have aided Rao in managing nearly 50 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 40 crore, along with hawala cash transactions amounting to Rs 38 crore, for which he reportedly received a commission of Rs 55,000 per transaction.
Ranya Rao was apprehended at Bengaluru airport on March 3 after returning from Dubai, where a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence team discovered 14.2 kg of concealed gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore. Following her arrest, investigators searched her residence and uncovered gold jewelry worth Rs 2 crore and approximately Rs 2.67 crore in cash, believed to be hawala earnings from her gold transactions.
Notably, Ranya Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramchandra Rao, who has publicly stated he was unaware of her unlawful activities and has since been placed on compulsory leave and questioned concerning the ongoing investigation. Rao’s increased visibility due to 27 trips to Dubai last year raised suspicions about her activities, leading to her current legal troubles.
In conclusion, Ranya Rao’s involvement in a substantial gold smuggling and hawala racket presents serious legal implications. The complexities of her case are magnified by her connections and the scale of the alleged operations. The investigation continues as authorities seek to unravel the full extent of the activities surrounding her and her accomplices. The case underscores the critical need for vigilance against illicit financial activities, particularly in high-value smuggling operations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
