- Sahil Jain, the third accused in the high-profile gold smuggling case, has been arrested.
- He has a history of involvement in smuggling, previously linked to a 180 kg gold racket.
- DRI is investigating his role in aiding Kannada actress Ranya Rao in smuggling 14.568 kg of gold.
Who is Sahil Jain and Why is He in Trouble Again?
Sahil Jain, a businessman from Ballari, Karnataka, has once again found himself at the center of a major gold smuggling case. Arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Jain is accused of helping Kannada actress Ranya Rao smuggle 14.568 kg of gold into India. The seized gold is valued at ₹11.56 crore, with customs duty losses estimated at ₹4.46 crore.
This isn’t Jain’s first brush with the law. Authorities previously arrested him in Mumbai for his involvement in a smuggling operation, where 180 kg of illegal gold worth ₹66 crore was brought into the country over ten months. Jain allegedly played a key role in selling smuggled gold through his connections with major gold traders.
In the current case, DRI officials suspect that Jain was planning to dispose of 14.2 kg of gold seized from Ranya Rao on March 3. His involvement in the smuggling network is being closely scrutinized.
The Ranya Rao Connection – A Smuggling Ring Exposed
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after officials found gold bars wrapped around her waist, calves, and hidden in her shoes and pockets. Investigations revealed that the money for purchasing the gold was transferred through hawala channels.
Adding to the controversy, a protocol officer assisting Ranya claimed that Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao, her stepfather, had personally instructed him to help her at the airport. The senior officer has since been sent on compulsory leave.
What Happens Next?
With Jain now in custody until Saturday, the DRI is deepening its probe into his network of gold traders and financial transactions. Given his past offenses, authorities suspect he may have been operating on a much larger scale than currently known.
As the case unfolds, more high-profile names could emerge, revealing the true depth of India’s illegal gold smuggling network.
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