BENGALURU: Investigators tracking the money trail in the gold smuggling racket allegedly involving actor Ranya Rao are trying to ascertain if there are links with any of the accused in the multi-crore bitcoin scam that is currently being probed by a special investigation team of Criminal Investigation Department.
The spotlight turned towards the bitcoin scam after the govt clarified that it has not handed 12 acres of industrial land in Tumakuru district to Ranya-owned Ksiroda India Private Limited, a company in which her brother K Rushab is a director.
Sources said: "We need to know how payments were made for the purchase of 14.2kg gold that was being carried by Ranya when she arrived from Dubai, and we are exploring all angles, including cryptocurrency."
Interestingly, Rushab had come under SIT scanner for allegedly being associated with bitcoin scam mastermind Srikrishna alias Sriki, and has been questioned twice so far, the last being in Jan.
In his statement to SIT, Rushab claimed he came into contact with international hacker Sriki through a common friend, M Haqeeb. SIT had summoned Rushab to disclose information pertaining to purchase of a luxury sports car car in 2018 and how funds got routed for the same. Rushab is said to have answered: "I was an intern with the car showroom. Through Haqeeb, I met Sriki. One day, Sriki walked into the showroom and after looking at the car, decided to buy it. Beyond this, I don't know anything."
While maintaining that Rushab will be summoned again, SIT sources said they are yet to receive any request from Directorate of Revenue Intelligence or Central Bureau of Investigation for information in connection with the gold smuggling racket.
When contacted by TOI, Rushab refused to comment. "We, the family, have decided not to speak on the issue. We want to maintain privacy."
Actor's flat raidedCBI sleuths raided Ranya's Lavelle Road flat late Monday night and seized key documents pertaining to the gold smuggling case.
CBI also issued notices to four personnel from the police protocol wing to explain why they were escorting Ranya out of Kempegowda International Airport on arriving from Dubai.
Ranya's bail plea adjourned to Wednesday.
The special court for economic offences in Bengaluru adjourned the hearing on Ranya's bail petition to Wednesday. DRI sleuths filed an objection Tuesday.
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