Bengaluru, Oct 2: The Customs Department has imposed a massive fine of Rs.89 crore on film actress Harshavardhini, alias Ranya Rao, who is an accused in a multi-crore gold smuggling case.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had uncovered that Ranya Rao, in collusion with other accused, had illegally smuggled gold from Dubai to India between March 7, 2024, and February 18, 2025. The DRI had arrested Ranya Rao, Tarun Kondaraju, Sahil Jain, and Bharatkumar Jain in connection with the case.
Rs.89 Crore Fine on Actress Ranya Rao for Gold Smuggling
Evidence has confirmed her active involvement in a gold smuggling syndicate. A total of 113 kg of gold was smuggled over a one-year period. Consequently, Dr. Sandeep Gunjal, Joint Director of the Customs Department, has ordered Ranya Rao to pay a fine of Rs.89 crore under the Customs Act, 1962. Fines Imposed on Other Accused.
Sandeep Gunjal issued a detailed 399-page order regarding the case, imposing fines of Rs.53.06 crore each on co-accused Sahil Jain and Bharatkumar Jain, and Rs.49.51 crore on Tarun Kondaraju. Additionally, notices regarding the payment of fines have been issued to Ranya Rao and the other accused. Previously, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had issued a show-cause notice detailing the penalties in this gold smuggling case. The accused had appealed to the Joint Director to review the notice under the provisions of the Customs Act. There is also a provision for the confiscation of assets if the accused fail to pay the fines.
Background of the Case
Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3, 2025, on charges of illegally smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs.12.56 crore from Dubai. Subsequently, Ranya Rao was granted default bail after the DRI failed to file the charge sheet within the stipulated timeframe. However, considering the gravity of the gold smuggling, the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) issued a preventive detention order against Ranya Rao under Section 3(1) of the COFEPOSA Act. Consequently, Ranya Rao remained in jail for a full year without bail. As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that Ranya Rao had smuggled gold worth over Rs.102 crore. Subsequently, the Court for Economic Offences granted bail on April 22, 2026. After completing approximately one year of preventive detention, Ranya Rao was released in April 2026. Now, the Customs Department has imposed a hefty fine on her.