Third suspect Sahil Jain arrested in Ranya Rao gold case
What's the story
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested the third suspect in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, Sahil Sakariya Jain.
Jain was arrested for allegedly disposing of smuggled gold in connection to the case.
He was produced before a magistrate at his residence on Wednesday and has been remanded to four days' custody for further investigation.
Investigation details
Jain's involvement revealed through digital evidence and disclosures
Jain, a resident of Brahmin's Street in Ballari and son of businessman Mahendra Kumar Jain, came under investigation after it was discovered that he had been in constant contact with Rao.
According to the DRI's investigation, Jain's role was initially established through digital evidence and later corroborated by Rao's voluntary disclosures.
An arrest memo addressed to Jain said, "The WhatsApp chats show that you played an active role in money transfers to Dubai and aiding in the disposal of gold."
Gold smuggling
Jain's alleged role in significant gold smuggling operation
According to DRI, Jain helped in smuggling 14.5kg of gold worth ₹11.55 crore into the country.
This gold was allegedly brought into India by Rao on January 11, causing a ₹4.46 crore loss to the exchequer.
The DRI also said that from Jain's statement, it is clear that he helped Rao on two other occasions as well.
Prior arrest
Jain's previous legal troubles and connections to gold smuggling
Interestingly, this isn't Jain's first brush with the law. He was arrested in Mumbai earlier for his role in a gold smuggling racket.
In that case, authorities had nabbed a passenger coming from Kolkata with 6.9kg of gold for delivery to Jain.
Upon investigation, authorities found that Jain had received about 180kg of smuggled gold worth ₹66 crore over 10 months.
Case progress
Rao's arrest and the ongoing investigation
Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport after gold bars were found wrapped around her waist and calves with bandages and tissues.
More gold bars and cut pieces were also found in her shoes and pockets.
Rao aside, her stepfather-IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, and her husband Jatin Hukkeri have come under the investigators' lens.