ED files chargesheet against Kannada actor Ranya Rao, associates in gold smuggling case
Harshavardini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, was arrested by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru airport after she arrived there from Dubai
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in Bengaluru in a money laundering case against Kannada actor Ranya Rao and two others linked to alleged gold smuggling.
The chargesheet was filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru.
Harshavardini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao (32), was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025, at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after she arrived there from Dubai.
Officials recovered 14.2 kg of gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. Subsequent searches led to recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs 2 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.
ED had initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR filed by CBI on March 7, 2025 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the ED, the probe found that 127.28 kg of gold valued at Rs 102.55 crore was smuggled into India during March 2024-March 2025. The smuggled gold was disposed of in the domestic market through a network of handlers and jewellers, it said.
The proceeds of the sale were generated in cash and settled through "hawala" channels in India and abroad, according to the agency. These funds were further layered and routed through multiple bank accounts and entities to appear as legitimate business transactions, it claimed.
Search operations were conducted in May 2025 at 16 locations in Karnataka, resulting in seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, Indian currency and foreign currency. Statements of several persons were recorded during the course of investigation.
Immovable properties worth Rs 34 crore held in the name of Harshavardini Ranya were attached by the ED during the investigation.
The probe found an "organised" and "structured" mechanism, involving the procurement of gold abroad, illegal import into India, cash-based disposal and subsequent laundering of proceeds through hawala and banking channels, was taking place.
