ED Files Chargesheet Against Actress Ranya Rao and Associates in Rs 102 Crore Gold Smuggling Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Kannada actress Ranya Rao, her associate Tarun Konduru, and hawala dealer Sahil Sakariya Jain in a gold smuggling and money laundering case. The investigation revealed that between March 2024 and March 2025, the accused smuggled approximately 127.287 kg of gold worth around Rs 102.55 crore into India, which was sold domestically through a network of handlers and jewellers. Proceeds were laundered via hawala channels and multiple bank accounts. Ranya Rao was arrested in March 2025 at Bengaluru airport with 14.213 kg of gold concealed on her person. Searches recovered gold jewellery and Indian currency, and immovable properties worth over Rs 34 crore linked to Rao were provisionally attached. The case is part of a larger probe involving multiple agencies including the CBI and DRI.