A Bengaluru sessions court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, popularly known as Ranya Rao, in the high-profile gold smuggling case. The court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments on Tuesday. According to the prosecution, Ranya confessed to using hawala channels for gold purchases, prompting authorities to initiate a judicial investigation. Officials believe this inquiry could reveal additional financial irregularities linked to the case.

Frequent Dubai Trips and Smuggling Allegations

The case also implicates Ranyas associate, Tarun Raj, who has been named as the second accused. Authorities claim that Ranya was actively involved in smuggling gold and transferring it to a merchant named Sahil Jain, who was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday.

During Tuesdays court proceedings, DRI lawyer Madhu Rao argued that Ranya and Raj had made nearly 26 trips to Dubai, often leaving in the morning and returning the same evening. This pattern of short visits, according to investigators, indicates a well-coordinated gold smuggling operation. Officials allege that before her arrest, Ranya booked a flight for Raj, who then traveled to Dubai, received the gold, and handed it over to her.

Seizures at Airport and Residence

The investigation took a decisive turn on March 3, when DRI officials intercepted Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport upon her arrival from Dubai and seized gold bars worth 12.56 crore. Following this, authorities raided her residence, where they discovered additional gold jewelry valued at 2.06 crore, along with 2.67 crore in Indian currency.

These discoveries led to further scrutiny of her financial transactions and potential involvement in an organized smuggling network. The scale of the seized assets suggests a deep-rooted operation, raising concerns about the use of hawala channels in the illegal gold trade.

Stepfather Under Investigation

In a separate development, Ranyas stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, a senior-ranking police officer, was placed on compulsory leave by the Karnataka government. Given his influential position, investigators are closely examining whether he had any role in the smuggling ring. While no formal charges have been filed against him, authorities continue to question him regarding potential links to the case.

Sahil Jains Arrest and Legal Charges

Sahil Jain, a resident of Ballari, became the third accused to be arrested in the case. Authorities secured a four-day custody of Jain on Thursday to further probe his involvement. Investigators suspect that Jain played a key role in laundering the smuggled gold and managing the financial transactions connected to the operation.

Jain has been charged under Section 135 (1) (b) of the Customs Act, 1962, which classifies his offenses as non-bailable under various subsections of the Act. Law enforcement officials continue to track the larger smuggling network, with expectations of further arrests as the investigation unfolds.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Ramifications

The case has attracted significant media attention due to the involvement of a well-known actress and her alleged connections to a vast gold smuggling network. Authorities are determined to dismantle the operation and hold all individuals involved accountable. As investigations continue, more names may surface, potentially leading to further arrests and legal proceedings.