Kannada actor Ranya Rao has confessed to using the illegal ‘hawala’ channel to transfer funds for purchasing gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed a court on Tuesday. The actor was arrested earlier this month in connection with an alleged gold smuggling case.
DRI Advocate Madhu Rao stated that the accused had acknowledged conducting the financial transaction through unofficial channels, as reported by PTI.
Following the confession, authorities took action by issuing a notice under Section 108 of the Customs Act, initiating a judicial inquiry into the matter. The proceedings are reportedly part of a judicial probe, not a police interrogation, as required under the invoked section.
The authorities are trying to determine the extent of the financial irregularities that have occurred in the case, along with any potential violations of the law.
Ranya Rao Case
Rao, who is the stepdaughter of Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 after DRI officials found her carrying gold bars in a jacket.
The authorities seized 14.2 kilograms of gold from her person, worth approximately Rs 12.56 crore. After her arrest, the official also raided her residence and seized cash and gold jewellery worth Rs 4.73 crore, bringing the total amount to Rs 17.29 crore.
