Bengaluru Gold Smuggling Case: ED Joins Probe, Raids Multiple Locations Including Ranya Rao's Residence

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a full-fledged money laundering investigation into the high-profile Bengaluru gold smuggling case, adding another layer to an already complex probe led by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED officers on Thursday (13 March) conducted raids at eight locations across Bengaluru, including actress Ranya Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road.

"A team of four officers raided Ranya’s Lavelle Road residence in the morning and seized some crucial documents," officials confirmed.

An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) has been registered in New Delhi, following the CBI’s FIR and the DRI’s initial bust involving the arrest of Ranya Rao and her associate Tarun Konduru Raj.

The DRI had earlier seized 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore from Ranya, who had flown into Bengaluru from Dubai on 3 March.

Following her arrest, two foreign nationals were apprehended in Mumbai on 6 March for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold valued at Rs 18.92 crore—pointing to a possible international syndicate.

“The CBI registered the FIR on 7 March based on a complaint by Dr Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI,” according to officials, highlighting suspicions of deeper cross-border operations with potential involvement of government officials.

The state government has appointed Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to probe the role of Ranya’s stepfather, senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao. Although the CID’s independent inquiry has been withdrawn, it will assist Gupta in the investigation.