BENGALURU: After the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into the high-profile Bengaluru gold smuggling case.
Officers of ED raided eight places in the city and other areas on Thursday as part of their money laundering investigation. The ED launched its probe after registering a case under the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA), taking cognisance of the CBI’s FIR and DRI’s investigation after the arrest of actor Ranya Rao and her close associate Tarun Konduru Raj.
A team of four officers raided Ranya’s Lavelle Road residence in the morning and seized some crucial documents. An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under PMLA has been registered in New Delhi on charges of money laundering.
As investigations by CBI and DRI indicated a possible hawala scam, the ED launched its investigation. It is also looking into violations of Foreign Exchange Law by the accused. Through the hawala route, money was sent to Dubai, where gold bars were sent to India. A team of CBI officers raided Ranya’s residence on Monday.
The ED officers also searched a place in Koramangala. However, it is not clear if this place belongs to Ranya.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officers raided nine places in the city, including Koramangala and Indiranagar.
The CBI registered the FIR on March 7 based on a complaint by Dr Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI, Headquarters. In his complaint, Gupta stated that after the arrest of Ranya on March 3, two foreign nationals were arrested in Mumbai airport on March 6 for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold worth Rs 18.92 crore.
These two cases pointed to a possible smuggling syndicate operating from Dubai. He also stated that this may have larger national and international ramifications.
Due to the possibility of involvement of some government officials and others, Gupta requested the CBI to investigate the case.
CID to assist additional chief secretary
Meanwhile, the state government appointed Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary, to probe the role of Ranya’s stepfather and senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao.
The state government, which had ordered an inquiry by the CID on March 10 into the alleged lapses on part of the state police in misuse of protocol privileges by Ranya, withdrew its order on Wednesday. It stated that the CID investigation was not required as Gaurav Gupta would conduct the probe. However, the CID will assist him.
The DRI officers seized gold bars weighing 14.2 kg valued at Rs 12.56 crore from Ranya, who arrived in Bengaluru from Dubai on March 3. After this, they raided her residence on Lavelle Road and seized gold jewelry.
