6-Foot Man In Arab Robe To Star Hotel Owner – Key Contacts In Actor’s Phone! News24 –

As Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s arrest in the gold smuggling case from Bengaluru’s Kempe Gowda Airport continues to shake Karnataka, details of key contacts from her personal network are emerging, including the arrest of a high-profile hotelier. As investigators delved into Ranya Rao’s mobile records, they uncovered a surprising network of connections.

Her phone contained the contact numbers of several politicians and police officials, with whom she frequently communicated. This included current and former ministers. Among her regular contacts was businessman and star hotel owner Tarun Raj. Evidence suggested that she had supplied him with smuggled gold multiple times. When called in for questioning, Raj struggled to provide a convincing explanation for his alleged involvement in the smuggling operation, raising further suspicions.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is also investigating details about a 6-foot-tall mystery man, whom Ranya claimed had handed her the gold at Dubai Airport. According to a Deccan Herald report, the man whom she met at Dubai airport was over six feet, well built, African-American accent and wheatish complexion. The 33-year-old actress revealed these details in her statement to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). She was arrested upon her arrival in Bengaluru from Dubai on March 3 for carrying 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore.

Ranya’s Statement On The Man In The Arab Robe

Ranya recalled meeting the mysterious man near the espresso machine in the dining lounge at Gate ‘A’ of Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3. Before their encounter, he had contacted her via an internet call, providing precise instructions on where to meet. He told her he would be dressed in a white Kandura, a traditional Arab robe, making him easy to identify.

The exchange was swift. The man handed her two tightly wrapped packages made of thick, tarpaulin-like material. Curious, Ranya later stepped into a nearby washroom, where she carefully unwrapped one of the packages. Inside, she found 12 gold bars, neatly arranged in three sets of four. The second package contained five cut pieces of gold stacked together. Ranya insisted she had never seen the man before and had no contact with him after the exchange.

Star Hotelier Tarun Konduru Raju

Further investigation into Ranya’s mobile phone led the DRI team to a star hotel owner Tarun Raj. It was discovered that she had supplied him with smuggled gold on multiple occasions. As he failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding his connection to the gold smuggling operation, when summoned, Income Tax Investigation Department arrested him.

Authorities also uncovered financial transactions linked to Tarun Raj’s business accounts with the actress. It raised further suspicions about the extent of his involvement. Authorities are now closely examining surveillance footage from his hotel, hoping to uncover any meetings or exchanges linked to the smuggling operation. As the investigation unfolds, officials are working to piece together the network behind the illicit trade, uncovering new leads with each development.

DRI Officials also suspect the strong involvement of airport personnel along with few high profile businessmen at Bengaluru International Airport in the smuggling operation. Few officials whom was traced from Ranya’s phones and other contacts are in th DRI list. Reports also suggest that

Ranya Rao’s Stepfather Sent To Compulsory Leave

Ranya Rao’s stepfather, DGP K Ramachandra Rao, has been sent on compulsory leave by the Karnataka government. This decision comes as part of a broader investigation into the misuse of VIP protocol privileges at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru Airport after arriving from Dubai with over 14 kg of gold worth crores. She was found with gold biscuits strapped to her body. She had already claimed that it was her first attempt at smuggling gold, though DRI believed that she has done multiple smuggling under her stepfather’s VIP cover. As per the latest development, Kannada actress Ranya Rao has had her bail application rejected by a special court in Bengaluru. The decision was made on Friday, March 14, 2025, due to the seriousness of the charges against her.