Bengaluru: Trouble seems to be mounting for Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport while trying to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold valued at Rs 12 crore from Dubai earlier this week.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation into a global gold-smuggling operation to check if a racket is operating at the national level and Ranya’s possible involvement.
CBI teams have been dispatched to Mumbai and Bengaluru, and will work in close coordination with the DRI officials, India Today reported.
Ranya, stepdaughter of Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, had been under the radar because of her frequent travel to Dubai. She allegedly travelled to the UAE 30 times over the last 12 months or so, and four times in 15 days, bringing back loads of gold every time.
At the time of her arrest, gold bars were found strapped to her body in a hidden waist belt.
Thereafter, DRI (Bengaluru) recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash worth Rs 2.67 crore from her Bengaluru home during raids.
She was sent to DRI custody for three days on Friday.
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Considered to be one of the biggest gold seizures in Karnataka, Ranya’s case has put the spotlight her husband Jatin Hukkeri, reported News18.
According to police, Hukkeri – an architect by profession — frequently travelled with Ranya to Dubai, from where she allegedly smuggled gold.
Hukkeri and Ranya, who got married in a high-profile ceremony at Taj West End late last year, have settled in a high-end apartment in Bengaluru’s upscale Lavelle Road.
