The CBI has left the accused column in the FIR filed on March 13 blank in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada film actress Ranya Rao. The omission gives the agency the flexibility to summon any individual, especially because the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) suspects the involvement of a syndicate in the racket.
Opening a new front, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money-laundering case in Delhi and raided Ranya’s flat and five other locations in Bangalore on March 13.
Ranya was arrested by the DRI on March 3 for smuggling 14.2 kg. of gold from Dubai to Bangalore. Subsequent searches at her residence led to further recoveries.