Ranya Rao gold smuggling case: Accused Tarun Raju sent to 15-day judicial custody

NEW DELHI: In the ongoing investigation into the Kannada actress Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, accused Tarun Raju was remanded to 15 days of judicial custody on Friday following a request from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), news agency ANI reported.

After completing his DRI custody, Raju was presented before Judge Vishwanath C Gowdar, who issued the remand order.
It is alleged that Raju, who was with Ranya in Dubai, facilitated the purchase of gold before passing it on to her. A resident of Kumara Park, Raju operates luxury hotels and provides internet services in the city.
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He was presented before a judge at the latter’s residence in National Games Village, Koramangala, on Sunday night and subsequently placed in DRI custody for four days.
Ranya was arrested on 3rd March for allegedly smuggling over 14 kg of gold. Authorities became suspicious after noting that she had travelled to Dubai four times within just 15 days. Acting on this pattern, a DRI team intercepted her at the airport.
Despite her calm demeanour and lack of visible anxiety, a search revealed gold bars concealed in a belt she was wearing, leading to her immediate arrest.
Ranya is the daughter of Karnataka DGP (Police Housing Corporation) K Ramachandra Rao. Reports suggest that upon landing, she allegedly identified herself as the daughter of the state’s Director General of Police and attempted to contact local officers to secure an official escort home.