Bengaluru: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), probing the gold smuggling case allegedly involving Sandalwood actress Ranya Rao and Tollywood actor Tarun Kondaru Raju, told the special court that Raju tried to fly out of the country after Ranya’s arrest but didn’t do so after a lookout notice was issued.
The matter surfaced Tuesday when public prosecutor Madhu N Rao filed objections to Raju’s bail petition. “On March 3, Ranya and Raju were at Dubai airport. While Raju flew to Hyderabad, Ranya landed in Bengaluru and was arrested. The same day, Raju declared at Dubai airport that he purchased the gold and was taking it to Geneva. Then, the gold was handed over to Ranya and she flew down to Bengaluru. On the other hand, Raju went to Hyderabad,” Rao told the special court while filing objections.
Ranya was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on the night of March 3 after DRI sleuths allegedly recovered 14.2kg of gold bars from her. The public prosecutor contended that Raju flew to Dubai, accompanied by Ranya, more than 25 times.
“It was Ranya who booked flight tickets for Raju during their repeated Dubai trips. Raju has US citizenship. He abetted and helped the prime accused in smuggling the gold to India. Forensic examination of Ranya’s mobile phone and other electronic gadgets revealed his (Raju’s) involvement in the scam. Both should be questioned in the near future, and hence, his bail should be rejected,” Rao argued.
“On March 8, Raju tried to flee the country. However, it did not succeed as we issued a lookout notice against his name. Left with no choice, he came to Bengaluru and was arrested immediately,” Rao added.