Benguluru, March 14: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has arrested one Tarun K Raju for his involvement in a gold-smuggling racket connected to Kannada actor Ranya Rao daughter of senior IPS officer.
Authorities are probing the misuse of police protocol services at Kempegowda International Airport, as suspicion arises over involvement of businessmen, politicians, and hawala operators.
Raju, who belongs to a well-known top business family in Bengaluru, was remanded in DRI custody for four days after being produced before a judge in Koramangala.
Businessman’s alleged role in smuggling Raju was with Ranya in Dubai and is suspected of facilitating the purchase of gold bars before handing them over to her.
The government came under fire after reports revealed that state police personnel escorted Ranya as she exited the airport with 14.2 kg of gold strapped to her body before being intercepted by DRI officials.
Though airport protocol staff stated that they acted on instructions to pick up Ranya, no inquiry had been ordered into their role or the involvement of other officials.
Now, with the CBI reportedly taking over the case, further investigations are expected to uncover more details about possible political and business connections in the smuggling racket.
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