Gold was being smuggled to India after declaring it to be taken either to Geneva or Bangkok: DRI tells Karnataka High Court 

Actor Harshavardini Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju were used to declare gold at Dubai airport claiming it to be carried to either Geneva or Bangkok by simultaneously booking tickets to either of these two destinations as well as to India, and then carried the gold through smuggling to India instead of travelling to either Geneva or Bangkok, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed the High Court of Karnataka on Monday. 

Interestingly, the duo were not cancelling the tickets booked to either Geneva or Bangkok on the same dates, even after travelling to India with the gold bars, DRI has claimed. The DRI also told the Court that there are no restrictions like in India to carry gold to either Geneva or Bangkok. 

These submissions were made before S. Vishwajith Shetty, who is hearing the petitions filed by Ranya and Tarun, who is a US citizen and resident of Hyderabad, seeking bail in the gold smuggling case. 

Before her marriage, Ranya used to book tickets for both by using a credit card, and after the marriage, she was depositing cash into his account for booking tickets to travel to and fro Dubai, the DRI said.

On the protocol facility given to Ranya at the airport, the DRI told the Court that a statement of a police constable indicates that it was given on the instruction of DGP Ramachandra Rao, who is nine other than step father of Ranya. 

As arguments remained inconclusive, the Court adjourned further hearing till April 23. 

Published – April 21, 2025 11:09 pm IST

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