The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in Bengaluru against Kannada actor Ranya Rao and two others in a money laundering case linked to alleged gold smuggling.
Besides Rao, the
chargesheet names her associate Tarun Konduru and Bellari-based gold dealer Sahil Sakariya Jain. It was filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru.
Ranya Rao, also known as Harshavardini Ranya (32), was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3 last year at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after returning from Dubai. Officials recovered 14.2 kg of gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her possession.
According to the ED, its investigation found that a total of 127.28 kg of gold, valued at around Rs 102.55 crore, was smuggled into India between March 2024 and March 2025. The gold was allegedly sold in the domestic market through a network of handlers and jewellers.
The agency said the proceeds of the sales were generated in cash and transferred through “hawala” channels within India and abroad. These funds were then routed through multiple bank accounts and entities to appear as legitimate business transactions.
The chargesheet called the operation as an “organised” and “structured” mechanism, involving procurement of gold abroad, illegal import into India, cash-based disposal, and laundering of proceeds through hawala and banking channels.
The ED said such activities “undermine the legal trade and financial systems and erode public trust in institutions meant to regulate cross-border transactions.” During the probe, assets worth Rs 34 crore belonging to Rao were attached.
(With inputs from agencies)
