India’s premier anti-smuggling agency has disclosed new information regarding its inquiry into the purported gold smuggling case connected to Kannada actor Ranya Rao. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence claimed in court on Tuesday that it possesses evidence showing that Rao and her associate Tarun Raju took 26 trips to Dubai where they engaged in gold smuggling.
During the journeys, Rao and Raju would depart in the morning and come back by evening, a routine that heightened suspicion, the agency informed the court while opposing a bail plea submitted by Tarun Raju.
Raju was apprehended shortly after Ranya Rao’s dramatic arrest at the Bengaluru airport, where the DRI caught the actor in the act of smuggling gold.
Investigators have discovered additional financial connections between the two defendants. They informed the court that Raju traveled from Dubai to Hyderabad on a ticket purchased by Rao, utilizing funds she transferred to his account.
Authorities assert they possess evidence supporting allegations that he was involved in the smuggling operation.
Ranya Rao traveled to Dubai 52 times from 2023 until March 2025, with Raju joining her on at least 26 occasions. Authorities believe that these regular, same-day return trips were utilized to traffic gold into India.
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As the inquiry deepened, officials released a Lookout Circular for Raju. On March 8, he reportedly tried to escape the country. When that didn’t work, he chose to journey from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Authorities have provided all required paperwork, including the legal basis for his detention.
In accordance with standard protocol, authorities notified Raju’s sister regarding his arrest. Researchers have additionally verified that Raju possesses United States citizenship, leading to more inquiries regarding his global travels and commercial activities.
