The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today launched an investigation into the sensational gold smuggling case involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka DGP K. Ramachandra Rao.

ED has conducted searches and raids at eight locations in Bengaluru and other places. The sleuths have conducted raids till late in the evening at the residence of Ranya Rao on the upscale Lavelle Road in Bengaluru.

Simultaneous raids were also conducted on the residence of Tarun Raju, a close friend of Ranya Rao and grandson of a star hotel owner on Kumara Park East Road in Bengaluru. Tarun has been arrested and grilled by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) currently. The raids were also conducted on the owner of a gold mortgage and loan company in Koramangala locality of Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) was also conducting raids at nine locations across Bengaluru, targeting the flats and properties of Ranya Rao’s husband, Jatin Vijaykumar Hukkeri. On Tuesday, Jatin obtained an interim order from the High Court restraining the DRI from arresting him.

Sources revealed that investigations have found that Ranya Rao had booked round-trip tickets from Bengaluru to Dubai using Jatin Hukkeri’s credit card, raising suspicions about his involvement in the gold smuggling case.