Sahil Jain has emerged as a significant figure in the ongoing gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao. He was arrested last night by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and will remain in DRI custody until Saturday.
WHO IS SAHIL JAIN?
From Ballari, Karnataka, Sahil Jain comes from a prominent business family that has operated a clothing business in the region. Although they have deep roots in Ballari, the family has recently relocated to Bengaluru.
At the time of his alleged involvement in the smuggling network, Jain was residing in Mumbai, reportedly living with his maternal uncle.
This arrest is not Jain’s first interaction with law enforcement; he was previously detained in Mumbai related to another gold smuggling operation. In that incident, authorities intercepted a passenger from Kolkata who possessed 6.9 kg of gold meant for Jain.
Investigations indicate that over ten months, Jain received about 180 kg of smuggled gold, valued at approximately Rs 66 crore.
In both cases, Jain is believed to have played a pivotal role in the distribution of smuggled gold, leveraging his connections with established gold traders.
RANYA RAO CASE
According to DRI reports, Jain is accused of facilitating the smuggling of 14.568 kg of gold, which was brought into the country on January 11, 2025, by actress Ranya Rao. The seized gold is valued at Rs 11,55,97,000, resulting in a customs duty loss estimated at around Rs 4,46,61,919.
Furthermore, DRI has obtained evidence suggesting that Jain was planning to sell 14.2 kg of gold that was confiscated from Ranya on March 3.
Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport on March 3 after officials discovered gold bars concealed around her waist and legs, as well as additional gold in her shoes and pockets.
She admitted that the funds used for the gold purchase were transferred through hawala channels, as confirmed by DRI during court proceedings.
A protocol officer assigned to assist Rao revealed that Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao, her stepfather, had given specific instructions to aid her at the airport. Following this revelation, DGP Ramachandra Rao was placed on compulsory leave.
The recent arrest of Sahil Jain marks a crucial development in the case, as he is implicated in the smuggling of 14.568 kg of gold brought into the country by actress Ranya Rao.
Published On:
Mar 27, 2025
