"Point to possible nexus of coordinated smuggling syndicate": DRI seeks CBI help to probe Ranya Rao gold smuggling case

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 13 : Days after Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials at the Bengaluru International Airport for smuggling gold, the agency has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the case.
The CBI has filed an FIR in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case on the complaint of Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The FIR has been registered under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) on the complaint of Abhishek Chandra Gupta. The complaint discloses the cognizable offences U/s 7 and 12 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 20148) r/w 61(2) of BNS.
According to the complaint, after Ranya Rao's arrest on March 3, two foreign nationals were also arrested on March 6 from Mumbai airport for attempting to smuggle 21.28 Kg of gold into India worth Rs. 18.92 crores, as per the complaint.
Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI, in his complaint has said that these cases involving passengers making trips from Dubai and attempting to smuggle gold in large quantities points to a "possible nexus" with coordinated smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE).
In Ranya Rao's case, she travelled to Dubai multiple times while the two arrested foreign nationals have previously arrived Mumbai airport multiple times.
Gupta in his complaint has also suspected the possibility of involvement of public servants and others.
"The above two cases detected in quick succession involving passengers making trips from Dubai, the attempted smuggling of large quantities of gold into India and the high frequency of these visits involving Indian and foreign nationals, points to a possible nexus with coordinated smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE). This may have larger national and international ramifications. The possibility of involvement of unknown public servants of the Govt. of India and unknown others, with such coordinated network, needs to be investigated," the complaint said.
Actress Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 from Kempe Gowda International Airport Bengaluru for attempting to smuggle 14.2 Kg gold worth Rs 12.56 crores.
According to the complaint, searches at her residence led to recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs. 2.06 Crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs. 2.67 Crore.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, AS Ponnanna, the legal advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the CBI's jurisdiction in Karnataka is virtually "non-existent" unless the government permits however, he stated that the involvement of officials of the Central government is under the Central law and CBI can investigate all aspects.
"CBI's jurisdiction in Karnataka is virtually non-existent unless the government permits... Therefore, in order to get jurisdiction to probe an issue, they have shown it as a multi-state and, secondly, the involvement of officials of the Central government under the Central law. Therefore, they have come to investigate; let them investigate. CBI can investigate all aspects..." Ponnanna said.
On Wednesday, the Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru adjourned the bail hearing of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested at Bengaluru airport for allegedly smuggling gold till March 14 (Friday). The order on bail application has been reserved till March 14.
Karnataka government has already appointed state's Additional Chief Secretary, Gaurav Gupta as the investigating officer in this case. The Chief Minister has instructed that the report be submitted within a week.
It is alleged that actress Ranya Rao misused her name and the courtesy services offered to her to "evade" airport checks and conduct "illegal" activities.
Investigating officer Gaurav Gupta will investigate the facts and circumstances leading to the availment of the courtesy facilities and the role of IPS Rao in this case.
Notably, actress Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai.
Prior to her transfer to custody, she underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru. During her questioning, Rao claimed that her trip to Dubai was for business purposes. However, authorities suspect that her visit was linked to the illegal importation of gold.
Then, she was remanded to the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) until March 10, which was extended till March 24.