Bengaluru. Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been fined ₹89 crore by the Customs Department in connection with a gold smuggling case. The action follows an investigation into an alleged network through which gold was brought from Dubai to India. Customs has imposed penalties totalling more than ₹244 crore on Rao and three other accused.
In a 399-page adjudication order issued by Customs Joint Director Sandeep, Rao was fined ₹89 crore. Tarun Konduru Raju was penalised ₹49.51 crore, while Sahil Jain and Bharat Kumar Jain were each fined ₹53.06 crore. The department examined the alleged roles of the four accused and their links in the suspected smuggling network.
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The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted Rao after she arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from Dubai. Officials recovered 14.213 kg of concealed foreign-origin gold from her. The seized gold was valued at around ₹12.56 crore at the time.
A subsequent search of Rao’s residence led to the seizure of ₹2.67 crore in unaccounted cash and gold jewellery valued at around ₹2.06 crore. The Enforcement Directorate also examined these seizures as part of its investigation into the case.
The Customs investigation covered alleged smuggling activities between March 7, 2024, and February 18, 2025. Investigators alleged that Rao and her associates had brought around 113 kg of gold from Dubai to India during this period. The proceedings examined the alleged involvement of Rao, Tarun Konduru Raju, Sahil Jain and Bharat Kumar Jain, including their alleged links with one another.
The latest Customs action follows proceedings initiated by the DRI in September 2025. At that time, the DRI had issued penalty notices to Rao and the other accused and sought a penalty of ₹102 crore from Rao in connection with the alleged smuggling activities. The latest adjudication order has now determined separate penalties against all four accused.
Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, following the airport seizure. She was subsequently granted statutory bail in the Customs-related case. However, she remained in custody after the Centre invoked the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974, for her preventive detention.
In April 2026, the Supreme Court upheld the preventive detention order against Rao. She was released from Bengaluru Central Prison on April 22 after completing the one-year detention period.
The latest Customs order sets out the department’s findings regarding the alleged gold smuggling network and the roles attributed to the four accused. The penalties have been determined through the department’s adjudication proceedings following its investigation into the alleged movement of gold from Dubai to India.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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