Ranya Rao admits hawala money used for gold purchase, DRI tells court

Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao confessed to transferring funds through hawala channels to purchase gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told the court during her bail plea hearing.

Advocate Madhu Rao, representing the DRI, stated that the accused admitted to conducting financial transactions through unofficial means. Authorities have issued a notice under Section 108, initiating a judicial inquiry to examine the financial discrepancies and any potential legal violations. Officials clarified that the probe is a judicial investigation rather than a police interrogation.

Rao was taken into custody at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, where officials reportedly seized gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. A subsequent search of her residence led to the confiscation of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.