New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation initiated inquiries over the possible involvement of public servants in the gold smuggling case surrounding Ranya Rao-the Kannada actor. This comes shortly after inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which arrested the actor with a bulk quantity of smuggled gold.
The incident occurred when DRI termed suspicion and detained Ranya Rao while smuggling gold to India. This Kannada film actress was caught with several lakhs worth of smuggled gold, hidden in a manner intended to avoid authorities.
After that, the DRI also shared the details with the CBI, which included the investigation, turning then for its inquiries toward any involvement of public servants in the illegal facilitation of the smuggling activity. Sources reveal that the investigation is focused on whether some government officials, including customs and airport personnel, were involved in the smuggling process, knowing fully or unaware. It raises many issues regarding the efficacy of security measures at Indian airports and the possibility of corruption at public offices.
The gravity of the case speaks for itself, considering that CBI has stepped in. Regularly, gold smuggling has been one of the perennial problems of the country. High-value precious metals are smuggled across borders and imported into the country illegally to avoid payment of taxes and duties. This trend encourages increased activity by the authorities to crack down on such operations.
While Ranya Rao's celebrity status has caught the media scattered all over its multiplying news sections, the investigation extends to the larger network involved in the incident. The case will see a close connection between the CBI and DRI in discovering the entire story behind the smuggling operations, including linkages to public servants that might have turned blind-eyed to this illegal activity.
Thus making this case an eye-opener into how gold smuggling is growing in the country and how it represents a wake-up call for thorough checks and prevention from government agencies. As investigation ramps up, emphasis will continue to be placed on the exposure of the most critical links in this illicit activity and the consequences they will face.
[ Source Credit: The Hindu ]
