Bengaluru: Investigations into the gold-smuggling racket allegedly involving Kannada actor and senior IPS officer’s daughter Ranya Rao took an interesting turn on Wednesday with Directorate of Revenue Intelligence turning the spotlight on a jewellery boutique in the central business district.
The DRI sleuths, who intercepted Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) when she arrived from Dubai on Monday night with 14.2kg gold bars concealed in a belt strapped to her body, conducted searches at her tony apartment on Lavelle Road and found Rs 2 crore worth of designer gold ornaments along with Rs 2.7 crore in cash. With this, the total seizure made from her at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and her residence adds to Rs 17.3 crore.
“This is one of the biggest seizures of gold from an air passenger in recent times,” a DRI statement read. Sources said: “While we are yet to ascertain who the receivers of gold bars are and why such huge quantities were smuggled in from Dubai, the ornaments found in her residence have been apparently sourced from a designer jewellery store on Lavelle Road. Preliminary investigations said these ornaments were purchased at the behest of a prominent politician. We are exploring how the payments were routed.”
Ranya, who is the daughter of director general of police (Karnataka Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, has been booked under Customs Act, 1962. Sources said all those associated with Ranya Rao, including her husband and other family members, will be subjected to questioning.
DGP Rao told a news agency: “Like any other father, I was devastated when it came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things. She is living separately with her husband; there may be some problems between them due to family issues. There has been no blemish on my career.”
Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said: “We cannot offer comments at this point in time since the matter is being probed by DRI, a central agency. We’ve not received any information from DRI. Let DRI complete the investigation and prepare a report.”
MSID:: 118738001 413 |