Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, where she was found carrying 14.2 kilograms of gold. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has made a breakthrough in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case by arresting a third suspect.
As per a Business Standard report, Sahil Sakariya Jain, a gold dealer from Ballari, was taken into custody for allegedly helping Ranya Rao. Sahil Jain is accused of facilitating the sale of smuggled gold on multiple occasions. Digital evidence linked him to Ranya Rao’s operations, and he was arrested after being questioned by the DRI. His involvement in disposing of the gold and sharing the sale proceeds makes him a key figure in the case.
Ranya Rao was found carrying 14.2 kilograms of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore, which she had concealed on her body using bandages and tissues. The gold was smuggled from Dubai, and Ranya Rao has been charged under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.The investigation has revealed that Ranya Rao made multiple trips to Dubai in 2025, using a hawala channel to finance her gold purchases. She was assisted by Tarun Konduru Raju, a hotelier who was also arrested in connection with the case. The DRI has been working to dismantle the smuggling network, and Sahil Jain’s arrest is a significant development in this effort.
During her bail hearing, Ranya Rao admitted to using hawala channels to purchase the gold. This admission has strengthened the case against her, and her bail plea was reserved for further consideration.
