Harshavardhini Ranya Rao was arrested last year after authorities allegedly seized 14.2 kg of gold, worth approximately Rs 12.56 crore, from her at Kempegowda International Airport.
Racket started unravelling with arrest of 2 men from Ladakh-China border carrying gold worth Rs 80 cr. Gold came from China via Tibet, was received in Ladakh, then moved to Delhi jewellers.
On Wednesday, BSF seized 20 gold biscuits worth Rs 2.31 crore from inside a bicycle’s tyre. The day before gold worth about Rs 2.43 cr confiscated at Laxmipur border outpost.
The agency raided 16 locations, including some tied to the Congress MLA, after investigators traced unaccounted funds linked to the gold smuggling network.
DRI is yet to determine how many times Rao travelled abroad & if she ‘misused’ protocol every time, it is learnt. She is the step-daughter of a senior Karnataka IPS officer.
Former Air Canada manager Simran Preet is said to be part of a nine-member gang suspected to be behind sensational $20 million gold heist from Toronto airport.
A well-oiled nexus of carriers, receivers, airline & airport personnel keeps the racket running. As import duties & gold prices increase, the smuggling market becomes more lucrative. Read ThePrint investigation.
India will need to recalibrate crude sourcing strategy as US ends waivers for Russian & Iranian oil, energy experts say. But Russian crude will likely remain central to energy basket.
This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.
We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.
In India laws are meant only for the poor and the lower middle-class. The upper middle class and the rich can get away with anything.