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Gold smuggling case: ‘Uganda link’ exposes 50 kg deal gone wrong for actress Ranya Rao

  •   Sun, Mar 22 2026 10:16:33 PM

Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi / Bengaluru

New Delhi / Bengaluru. Mar 22: The gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao has taken a dramatic turn, with investigators uncovering an international link to Uganda and a failed 50 kg gold deal that allegedly ended in fraud.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the case, has filed a detailed chargesheet in court in connection with the illegal import of gold worth around Rs 102.55 crore. The probe has revealed that the smuggling network operated by Rao and her associates extended beyond Dubai to African nations.

According to investigation findings, Rao was in regular contact with a Uganda-based agent to procure gold.

The group initially attempted to smuggle 5 kg as a trial run before striking a deal for a massive 50 kg consignment. To facilitate operations, a firm named ‘Veera Diamonds Trading’ was reportedly established in Dubai.

However, in a twist, Rao and her associate Raju were allegedly duped by the very intermediary they relied on. An advance of Rs 33 lac was paid for the deal. In January 2024, when Raju travelled to Kampala to collect the consignment, the agent allegedly demanded an additional Rs 1.7 crore. Though Rao agreed to arrange the funds through a Dubai-based contact, the duo later realised they had been cheated and reportedly moved to lodge a complaint with local police.

The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru upon her arrival from Dubai.

A detailed search led to the seizure of 14.213 kg of gold from her possession.

Further investigation revealed that between March 2024 and March 2025, the network had allegedly smuggled 127.287 kg of foreign-origin gold into India. The proceeds from the sale of the gold in the domestic market were reportedly routed through hawala channels.

Taking note of the scale of the operation, the ED has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 34.12 crore in Rao’s name. During searches, officials also seized Rs 2.67 crore in cash and gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore.

Ranya Rao is currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru as the investigation continues to unravel the wider network.

 
  

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Title: Gold smuggling case: ‘Uganda link’ exposes 50 kg deal gone wrong for actress Ranya Rao



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