Bengaluru: The gold smuggling case involving Sandalwood actor Ranya Rao, who is the daughter of director general of police Ramachandra Rao, has taken several intriguing twists and turns. And the latest in the series is ‘strong denials.’
The suspects — who are being probed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI – have started refuting their initial statements making the case more complex. Alleged mastermind Ranya Rao, who was caught by DRI sleuths at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) while smuggling in 14.2kg gold from Dubai on March 3, changed her tack by shooting a five-page letter from inside the prison stating that she has been falsely implicated in the case. “Nothing was recovered from me. I was slapped and one of them (officials) said that if I didn’t sign documents prepared by them, they would expose my father’s name and identity,” she had written. Not just Ranya, others under the scanner have also issued denials. Here is what each has stated:
Tarun Konduru Raju
Who is he: Accused number 2. DRI stated that he was Ranya’s business partner in Vira Diamonds and had actively participated in gold smuggling. A US passport-holder, he allegedly picked up gold in Dubai, got it cleared through customs stating it was being taken to Geneva and handed it to Ranya before returning to Hyderabad the same day.
His denial: He says he exited Vira Diamonds in Dec 2024. He said he was neither the carrier nor the owner of the gold and that he has been falsely implicated in the case on the basis of the belated voluntary statement of the co-accused (Ranya).
Jatin Hukkeri
Who is he: Husband of Ranya and an architect by profession. DRI searched Ranya’s house on Lavelle Road in his presence and recovered cash and jewellery. DRI has questioned him multiple times to ascertain his role in the smuggling racket.
His denial: He has stated that he is not a beneficiary of the offences allegedly committed by his wife and that he does not have any knowledge of her transactions. Barely a month after his wedding with Ranya on Nov 27, he said (to the court in a writ petition) they “failed to connect well and started having arguments and disagreements over trivial issues. There was a lack of transparency and communication in the relationship.”
Ramachandra Rao
Who is he: Director general of police (Karnataka Police Housing Corporation) and father of Ranya. He came under the scanner after DRI sleuths found that police protocol services were being used to facilitate Ranya’s exit from KIA on landing. Sources pointed out that a police vehicle picked up Ranya from KIA during her last arrival before being arrested.
His denial: Initially, he maintained he was unaware of the business affairs of Ranya and her husband and said she stopped visiting his house after marriage. Appearing before a committee appointed by the state govt to probe the role of police protocol, Rao reportedly maintained that he was not aware of what had transpired. He has also reportedly denied ordering any police personnel to escort Ranya or sending any police vehicle to bring her back from the airport.
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