As the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao unfolds, new reports suggest her father was embroiled in a scandal in 2014. While details of his past controversy remain under scrutiny, authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between his previous legal troubles and Ranya Rao’s alleged involvement in smuggling ₹12.56 crore worth of gold.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its probe, raising questions about potential family ties to criminal activities. This revelation adds another layer of intrigue to the high-profile case. Jatin Hukkeri, the husband of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, is under scrutiny following her recent arrest in Bengaluru in connection with an alleged gold smuggling case. Police allege that he frequently travelled with Rao to Dubai multiple times. Ranya, who married Hukkeri in a high-profile ceremony at Taj West End a few months ago, caught investigators’ attention after taking four trips to Dubai within 15 days.
Husband involved too?
Hukkeri earned a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree in Architecture & Interior Design from RV College of Engineering in Bengaluru. He later completed his education at the Royal College of Art – Executive Education, London, specialising in Disruptive Market Innovation.
According to Della Leaders Club (DLC), Jatin initially made a mark in Bengaluru’s restaurant industry with his innovative designs before expanding his influence across India and London. He is the Founder & Creative Director of WDA & DECODE LLC, as well as the founder of Craft CoDe.
His LinkedIn profile highlights his expertise in Hospitality Architecture and planning, stating: “Experienced Architectural Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the Hospitality Architecture & planning industry. Skilled in Architectural Interiors, Custom Interiors, Recreation, Design, and Entertainment. Strong arts and design professional graduated from Royal College of Art, London.”
One of Hukkeri’s most notable projects is Hangover, a cocktail bar and diner in Bengaluru. Describing its unique concept, he said, “It is path-breaking in terms of its spatial qualities, which are extremely simple for a bar.” The establishment is open on all sides across both floors, enhancing the user experience significantly.
His client portfolio in Bengaluru includes Hangover, Bangalore XOOX, Brewmill, and Olive Beach, while he has also worked on projects in Delhi and Mumbai, such as Monkey Bar in Delhi and Gateway Taproom in Mumbai.
Jatin Hukkeri leads WDA, a team of young, design-focused professionals, and has contributed to projects across the hospitality, retail, residential, and institutional sectors.
According to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore were seized from Rao at Kempegowda International Airport. Following this, officials searched her residence, recovering gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash.
Rao is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. DGP says about ‘No link to activities of his step-daughter’s in gold smuggling case.
Kannada actor Ranya Rao was on Wednesday arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore and weighing 14.2 kilograms. Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, reportedly visited Dubai several times in a year for allegedly smuggling the precious metal into India.
Her residence searched too?
After the shocking recovery at the airport, DRI officers had searched her residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. The search led to the seizure of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
As per media reports, Ranya Rao visited Dubai 30 times in a year for allegedly smuggling gold worth crores. The sources also told that Ranya Rao was paid ₹1 lakh per kg of gold she allegedly smuggled. She smuggled several kilograms of gold into India, earning ₹13 lakh per trip.
The probe revealed that she used modified jackets and waist belts repeatedly for her smuggling operations. Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is known for her roles in films like Maanikya and Pataki, was arrested by the DRI on Tuesday.
On Kannada actress Ranya Rao’s arrest in a gold smuggling case, Congress MLA and legal advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna said that the law will take its own course irrespective of his connections or relations. Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at the Kempagowda International Airport.
Ponnanna’s statement came in reference to the fact that Ranya is the stepdaughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dr K Ramachandra Rao. “She is accused of indulging in smuggling. The law will take its course, whether she is the DGP’s, the CM’s or the Prime Minister’s daughter. If there is any official nexus involved in this, it will come out in the investigation,” Ponnanna said, adding Ranya was being treated as any other accused.
Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is known for her roles in films like Maanikya and Pataki, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Tuesday.
She was detained at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) after arriving on an Emirates flight from Dubai. Upon landing, the actress was immediately arrested and taken into custody.
The actress, during questioning, claimed her visit to Dubai was for business purposes. However, DRI officials allege that she was carrying a significant amount of gold intended to be smuggled into India. As of now, Ranya remains in judicial custody while the DRI continues its investigation into the case.
Kannada film actor Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling gold following months of surveillance by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the agency said in a statement on Wednesday even as her father, senior police officer K Ramachandra Rao said he was not “connected” to his stepdaughter’s activities.
The actor’s movements attracted suspicion after making four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days. DRI was monitoring Rao’s movements because she was frequently travelling overseas with her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, a well-known architect, despite no apparent professional or familial connections overseas, officials said.
Rao, who married Hukkeri in a high-profile wedding at Taj West End a few months ago, attracted suspicion after making four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days. Officials from revenue intelligence noted a pattern in her visits, suspecting them to be linked to gold smuggling operations.
“She has travelled to Dubai 30 times in the past year, which we believe was part of his smuggling operations. She evaded strict checks and often received police escorts to bypass airport security checks,”
said an official familiar with the investigation who asked not to be named.
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