Bengaluru, September 2, 2025: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has issued a notice to Kannada actress Ranya Rao, currently in custody for her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case, to pay a fine of ₹102.55 crore. The notice, accompanied by approximately 2,500 pages of documents, was served in connection with the smuggling of 127.3 kg of gold, as confirmed by DRI investigations.

Additionally, three other accused in the case—Tarun Kondaraju, Sahil Sakaria Jain, and Bharat Kumar Jain—have been directed to pay fines exceeding ₹50 crore each, according to DRI sources. The notices were served to the four accused, who are lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail, on September 2, 2025.

The case traces back to March 3, 2025, when Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for illegally smuggling gold. DRI officials seized 14.8 kg of gold from her possession upon her arrival from Dubai. Further investigation revealed that Ranya had made four trips to Dubai within a span of 15 days, smuggling gold each time. The total quantity of smuggled gold is estimated at 127.3 kg, with significant financial implications.

The DRI’s probe also uncovered connections to a larger smuggling network, leading to the seizure of assets worth ₹37 crore by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency has warned that failure to pay the fines could result in the attachment of the accused’s properties.

In a related development, the Karnataka High Court heard a petition under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), which has been adjourned to September 11, 2025, for further proceedings.