Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Atria Hotel Heir Tarun Raju Arrested By DRI

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has reportedly arrested Tarun Raju, the grandson of the owner of Atria Hotel, in Bengaluru in connection with a gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao.

Raju was taken into custody following the detention of Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport, where she was found in possession of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore.

According to India Today, investigators uncovered Raju's involvement in the smuggling operation, leading to his arrest.

He was subsequently presented before the Special Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru, which granted the DRI five days of custody for further questioning.

Officials suspect that Raju and Ranya Rao were part of a gold smuggling network, allegedly working together to illegally transport gold from overseas. Despite reports of a fallout between the two after Ranya's marriage to architect Jatin Hukkeri, sources claim they continued their illicit activities.

Investigators established a crucial link between the two when they discovered that Ranya had contacted Raju while smuggling gold from Dubai, which ultimately led to his arrest. Raju was detained two days ago, while Ranya was already in custody. Both were subsequently questioned together in an effort to uncover the full scope of their involvement.

Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation's Director General of Police, Ramachandra Rao, has reportedly confessed to her role in the crime.

She has requested authorities to keep the investigation confidential and has pledged full cooperation. As part of the DRI's inquiry, a search of her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.

During a court hearing on Monday, Ranya Rao alleged that DRI officials had "verbally abused" her whenever she refused to answer questions. However, the investigating officer refuted these claims, assuring the judge that Ranya had not been subjected to any mistreatment.

In response, the judge questioned, "You were given 30 minutes to consult your lawyer. Why did you not inform them? Why did they not file a petition regarding this?"

Ranya further alleged that she had been pressured into signing documents.

"I have fully cooperated with the investigation. I refused to sign only on the third day, but after that, I complied," she told the judge.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta has been tasked with investigating the possible involvement of DGP-level officer Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case.