Kannada Actor Ranya Rao at Heart of ₹102 Crore Gold Smuggling Scandal: ED’s Prosecution Complaint Exposes Mega Laundering Network
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi, 26, February,2026- The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Headquarters Investigation Unit-II (HIU-II), New Delhi has filed a Prosecution Complaint on 25 February 2026 before the Hon’ble Special Court for PMLA Cases at Bengaluru against Harshavardini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, Tarun Konduru, and Sahil Sakariya Jain in connection with a large-scale gold smuggling and money laundering racket under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The case bearing FIR No. RC2172025A0006 dated 7 March 2025 registered by CBI, AC-II, New Delhi on the complaint of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The FIR relates to the interception of 14.213 kg of foreign-origin gold worth ₹12.56 crore from Harshavardini Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on 3 March 2025. Subsequent searches yielded gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
The DRI had already filed a prosecution complaint under Section 135 of the Customs Act, 1962 in the matter.
Findings of ED Investigation
The ED probe revealed that between March 2024 and March 2025, a staggering 127.287 kg of gold valued at ₹102.55 crore was smuggled into India.
The contraband was disposed of in the domestic market through a network of handlers and jewellers, with proceeds settled via hawala channels across India and abroad.
These illicit funds were layered and routed through multiple bank accounts and entities to project them as legitimate business transactions.
Search operations under Section 17 of PMLA were conducted on 21–22 May 2025 at 16 locations in Karnataka, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, Indian and foreign currency. Statements of several individuals were recorded under Section 50 of PMLA.
Attachment of Properties
Immovable properties worth ₹34.12 crore, held in the name of Harshavardini Ranya, were provisionally attached under Provisional Attachment Order No. 16/2025 dated 4 July 2025 in exercise of powers under Section 5(1) of PMLA, 2002.
Organised Mechanism Exposed
The investigation has unearthed a structured mechanism involving procurement of gold abroad, illegal import into India, cash-based disposal, and laundering of proceeds through hawala and banking channels.
Authorities noted that such activities undermine legal trade, destabilise financial systems, and erode public trust in institutions regulating cross-border transactions.
The Prosecution Complaint has been filed for the offence of money laundering under Section 3, punishable under Section 4 of PMLA, 2002. Further investigation is stated to be in progress.
