Overview

• Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru airport with 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore smuggled from Dubai.
• Investigators allege Rao's involvement in smuggling nearly 50 kg of gold valued at ₹40 crore and facilitating ₹38 crore in hawala transactions.
• Sahil Jain, the third accused, was remanded to custody until April 7, with evidence suggesting his role in aiding gold disposal and hawala operations.
• Digital evidence from Jain's devices is being analyzed to uncover further connections to an international smuggling and money laundering syndicate.
• Ranya Rao's stepfather, a senior IPS officer, has been placed on compulsory leave, and probes into the misuse of VIP airport privileges are ongoing.