In a big breakthrough, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested Sahil Sakariya Jain, an important suspect in the high-profile Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. Jain is the third person involved in the case and is being called a “big catch” in the smuggling network.
The DRI says Jain helped smuggle 14.568 kg of gold into the country on January 11, 2025, with actress Ranya Rao. The seized gold is worth Rs 11,55,97,000, and the smuggling caused a customs duty loss of about Rs 4,46,61,919.
Karnataka | Gold dealer Sahil Jain, who allegedly helped actor Ranya Rao sell smuggled gold, has been sent to DRI custody till 29th March. Ranya Rao's bail application in the 64th CCH Session court, which was reserved, will be pronounced today.
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2025
Sahil Sakariya Jain Arrested Again in Ranya Rao Gold Case
Investigations have shown that Sahil Jain had helped Ranya Rao dispose of smuggled gold on two other occasions before. The DRI has also found information that Jain was planning to get rid of 14.2 kg of gold seized from Ranya on March 3. Jain has been taken into DRI custody until Saturday.
Who is Sahil Sakariya Jain?
Sahil Sakariya Jain is from Brahmin’s Street in Ballari, and his father, Mahendra Kumar Jain, is a businessman. Sahil came to the attention of the DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) because he had frequent contact with someone named Ranya before and after her trips abroad. During questioning, Ranya also talked about Sahil. The DRI first found out about Sahil through digital evidence and later through Ranya’s own statements.
Court Rejects Bail Petition of Actress Ranya Rao in Gold Smuggling Case
A local court has once again denied the bail request of Kannada actress Ranya Rao for the third time in the ongoing gold smuggling case. The court had previously delayed its decision on her bail until March 27, after listening to both the defense and prosecution arguments. The prosecution claims that Rao admitted to using illegal hawala channels to buy gold, which has made the case against her stronger.
Ranya Rao’s Arrest
Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested on March 3, 2025, for allegedly trying to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold worth Rs 12 crore into India. She was caught at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport while returning from Dubai. The actress was also denied bail. Ranya even claimed that DRI officers slapped her multiple times, denied her food, and made her sign blank documents. In a letter to the Additional Director General of DRI, Ranya said she is innocent and was wrongly involved in the case.
As per DRI, Ranya Rao made 52 trips to Dubai between 2023 and March 2025. DRI also informed the court that the actress was accompanied by Raju on at least 26 of them and they suspect that these same-day return journeys were used to smuggle gold into India.
Ranya Rao’s Family Members Under Investigation
Ranya Rao’s family members are also being looked into. Her mother, Rohini, is a co-director in Ayrus Greens Pvt Ltd and Ranya Rao Photography Pvt Ltd. Her brother, Rushab, is a co-director in Ksiroda India Pvt Ltd.
The Karnataka government has assigned Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to investigate the suspected misuse of power and the involvement of Ranya’s father, Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao.
Also Read: Ranya Rao Confesses To ‘Hawala’ Gold Trade In Shocking DRI Revelation
