Kannada actress Ranya Rao slapped with ₹102 crore fine in Dubai gold smuggling case

Investigators claim Kannada actress Ranya Rao played a central role in coordinating the gold smuggling operation. Alongside her, three others were arrested — businessman Tarun Kondaraju, accused of arranging transport, and jewellers Sahil Sakharia Jain and Bharat Kumar Jain, alleged to have managed the bullion’s sale and diverted proceeds through hawala networks.

All four are currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has issued notices to the accused under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act and the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). On Tuesday, officers from the agency’s Mumbai division personally delivered the notices in prison along with detailed evidence records.

“The penalty was calculated based on the market value of the seized gold and the customs duties evaded,” a senior official said, clarifying that the ₹102 crore penalty is separate from the ongoing criminal prosecution.

The case has drawn major attention due to Rao’s involvement and suspected links to hawala operators and cross-border smuggling syndicates exploiting southern India’s airports. Legal experts warn that conviction under COFEPOSA could lead to long prison terms along with steep financial penalties.