Latest news with #SahilJain
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Hawala dealer Sahil Jain's uncle arrested by DRI in multi-crore gold smuggling case
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said Tuesday it has arrested a fourth person in connection with the gold smuggling case involving Kannada film actor Ranya Rao and Telugu actor Virat Konduru alias Tarun Konduru. According to DRI officials, Bharat Kumar Jain, a jewellery and hawala trader, was arrested in late July, and sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Bharat Kumar Jain is the uncle of Sahil Sakariya Jain, 27, a hawala dealer who is the third accused in the Bengaluru gold smuggling case that unravelled in March this year after the arrest of Ranya Rao, alias Harshavardhini Ranya, 33. Bharat Kumar Jain was involved in the distribution of the gold smuggled into India from Dubai by the two actors, and for hawala transfers of funds to facilitate the smuggling, DRI said after it presented him before a judge for special economic offences in Bengaluru. Sahil Jain and Bharat Jain have allegedly been found to be part of a sophisticated smuggling network operating in India and abroad. Gold smuggling case in Kolkata Sources said Bharat and Sahil were named in complaint filed by DRI under the Customs Act in a Kolkata magistrate's court on March 5, 2022, in a case involving smuggling of 41.64 kg of gold where they are alleged to have arranged couriers for the transport of large quantities of gold from the West Bengal capital to other cities in India like Mumbai and Raipur. Between 2019 and 2020, DRI received intelligence that a smuggling syndicate operating from Kolkata, Mumbai, and Raipur was smuggling foreign-marked gold from Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh borders of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. Based on the intelligence, DRI carried out operations to recover the smuggled gold and intercepted persons carrying smuggled gold in Kolkata, Raipur, and Mumbai, leading to the recovery of 41.64 kg of gold. One of the gold carriers, who was found with 6.98 kg of gold in Mumbai in December 2019, reported that the intended receiver of the gold was Sahil Jain, who was living in Mumbai at the time. He was arrested by DRI and found to be a key player in a major smuggling racket. Bengaluru gold smuggling case DRI has alleged Ranya Rao smuggled 49.6 kg of gold valued at over Rs 40 crore from Dubai between November 2024 and February 2025. This was apart from the 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore that was seized on March 3 by DRI at the Bengaluru airport. Rao is alleged to have handed over the gold to Sahil Jain, who paid for the consignments through hawala transfers of funds to Dubai and India. Sahil was arrested on March 26 by DRI after he was identified during investigations as the intended recipient of 14.2 kg of gold smuggled from Dubai by Rao in association with Konduru Raju. Ranya Rao, Virat Konduru, and Sahil Jain were ordered on April 22 by the Centre to be detained for a year under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). The Cofeposa advisory board in Bengaluru recently confirmed their April 22 Cofeposa detention order.
Fibre2Fashion
16-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Co-founder Studio Abrash
Our quality and designs truly speak to the world In the world of luxury interiors, where quiet sophistication meets cultural depth, Studio Abrash stands as a testament to India's enduring artistry. For over three decades, the atelier has been weaving bespoke rugs that grace the floors of global icons—from royal residences in Monaco to hospitality landmarks like The Ritz-Carlton and Marina Bay Sands, even the home of President Barack Obama. At the helm is Sahil Jain, Co-founder of Studio Abrash, whose vision merges timeless Indian craftsmanship with a refined global sensibility. In this exclusive interview with Fibre2Fashion, Jain delves into the ethos of Studio Abrash, the evolving tastes of discerning clients, the delicate balance between heritage and innovation, and how India is poised to lead the next chapter in global luxury through handcrafted excellence. Why do you think discerning homeowners and designers are gravitating towards custom-made, artisanal products over mass-produced ones? Custom pieces offer a level of emotional engagement that mass production lacks. They reflect identity and thought. Clients are increasingly aware of what goes behind a product, and they want to invest in something that is made for them, not just available to all. How do natural fibres like wool, silk, or jute impact the design, performance, and appeal of rugs in modern interiors? Natural fibres behave beautifully in architectural environments. Wool brings warmth and resilience, silk adds light and softness, and jute introduces a relaxed, organic texture. These materials also age well, get more durable over time, which aligns with the slow-living values of today's homes. In what ways can rugs influence the mood, flow, and identity of a space? A rug holds emotional weight in a room. It can unify scattered elements, define zones, and create rhythm. Whether you want contrast or cohesion, a rug becomes the visual and tactile anchor that supports both function and feeling. You see the excitement a person has when they are moving into a new home. We like to keep that joy alive through the rug that we customise. It should truly reflect a person's mood and personality at all times. What inspired you to start Studio Abrash, and how did your personal journey influence the brand's aesthetic and values? Studio Abrash was born from a shared vision: to bring India's finest hand-crafted rugs into the realm of contemporary living. Building on my many years of experience with Rooted in my early connection to the craft and strengthened by my partner's global business experience, we set out to create a brand where heritage meets innovation. Studio Abrash is built on a foundation of thoughtful design, artisanal integrity, and a commitment to meaningful luxury. In the world of luxury interiors, true elegance lies in personalisation. Today's discerning clients seek more than aesthetic appeal—they long for spaces that reflect their identity. At Studio Abrash, this belief guides every piece we create. We see rugs not merely as decorative accents, but as storytelling elements that embody the mood, spirit, and soul of a space. Each of our bespoke rugs is conceived by our talented designers and brought to life by master weavers using distinctive weaves and finishing techniques. The result is more than a rug—it is a deeply personal work of art that transforms interiors into intimate, soulful sanctuaries. Your designs are known for their quiet elegance. How do you define 'quiet luxury' in the context of your work? Quiet luxury is about presence without noise. It is the way any product feels and delivers the purpose of 'luxury'. It does not seek attention but leaves an impression through texture, craft, and permanence. Stylish yet classy. Loud yet subtle. Studio Abrash has worked with clients across continents. How do you cater to such a diverse clientele while staying true to your artisanal roots? Every geography speaks its own design language, shaped by culture, architecture, and light. What remains constant for us is our commitment to thoughtful customisation. Our team collaborates with designers to adapt motifs, textures, and colour palettes while preserving the integrity of hand-knotting and artisanal construction. This flexibility allows us to respond to diverse tastes without ever compromising the soul of our product. In every part of the world, clients recognise and value the quiet luxury and authenticity that Studio Abrash represents. How do you balance traditional craftsmanship with evolving expectations of modern luxury clients? We achieve that balance by treating each rug as a dialogue between heritage and innovation. Our expertise spans a wide range of weaving techniques from Persian and Turkish knots to Nepalese and Soumak which allows us to tailor texture and finish to contemporary aesthetics. Material knowledge is ever growing. We work with everything from fine wools like Alpaca, Pashmina and Mohair to silk, nettle, jute, and even metal threads, selecting combinations that enhance both form and function. What remains constant is our commitment to craftsmanship. Beyond design, our facilities are certified by respected organisations, ensuring that all our artisans work in safe, fair, and dignified conditions. Every rug is woven with integrity and purpose, fulfilling the expectations of today's conscious luxury consumer. How can traditional textile-making techniques be preserved while still appealing to contemporary aesthetics and global markets? Preservation must evolve through innovation. We retain traditional techniques but refine their expression through updated forms, tones, and textures. We believe this approach respects the roots while making the final product relevant to modern sensibilities. It ensures tradition stays alive through evolution, not imitation. Can you walk us through the process of collaborating with international architects and interior designers on high-profile projects? We approach each collaboration as a design dialogue. Designers share their vision and spatial parameters, and we respond with curated textures, construction suggestions, and artwork translations. We send physical samples, offer digital mock-ups, and remain involved through production to ensure accuracy and alignment. We begin by listening to their narrative through mood boards, spatial metrics, and fabric selections. Then we offer materials options and weave samples aligned with that vision. It is a back-and-forth process involving digital visualisations, hand-drawn sketches, and contextual field visits, ensuring each rug is crafted to the precise spirit of the project. What does your inclusion in multiple Architectural Digest Top 100 Homes mean to you, and how has it shaped the brand's recognition globally? Being part of such celebrated homes is a quiet endorsement of our design relevance. It reinforces that our handcrafted pieces can belong in globally admired interiors. This brings in a sense of satisfaction that each uniquely curated rug at our studio is now appreciated at an elite space. This reach led to new and broader collaborations from royal palaces to luxury yachts to villas and five-star hotels and, more importantly, a deeper recognition of India as a centre for world-class design. Your work is found in everything from royal residences to Architectural Digest's Top 100 Homes. What draws the world's elite to Studio Abrash rugs? Discerning clients seek more than aesthetics. They want legacy and intention. Our rugs are handcrafted from start to finish, with a level of detail that speaks to timelessness. They are not just floor coverings, but heirloom-quality pieces designed to live with a space and evolve with it. Every elemental piece in homes that are featured in Architectural Digest is a work of art. They are appreciated and highly sought after. Our rugs too are seen as art by home decor enthusiasts, and we like to believe our quality and designs truly speak to the world. With over 8,000 designs and customisation options, how do you help clients navigate choices to find the perfect fit for their spaces? Our role is to simplify the process and make it intuitive for the client. We start by understanding the spatial layout, mood, and material palette of the interior. Based on that, our team curates options that suit the client's design intent and functional needs. We treat the process as design curation, not just selection. We offer narrowed-down swatches, scaled renderings, and detailed consultations to guide clients to a piece that feels natural and intentional. How does sustainability influence your production choices and client recommendations? Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of our work. From hand-knotting techniques that reduce energy consumption to the use of old saree fabrics and recycled PET yarn, we ensure our rugs support low-impact living. We also advise clients on durable constructions that ensure long-term usage. We like to think circularity and luxury can co-exist elegantly. Zero-waste production is rare in luxury interiors. How have you achieved this balance between artisanal craftsmanship and environmental responsibility? Our commitment to zero-waste is rooted in the same philosophy that guides everything we do—thoughtful craftsmanship, personalisation, and integrity. Because each rug is made to order, we eliminate excess production and ensure that every piece is crafted with purpose. Leftover yarns are creatively repurposed into samples or small-batch editions. Our bespoke approach means every rug is tailored to individual specifications, avoiding the surplus that often comes with standardised collections. From consultation to installation, we focus on mindful luxury, offering an experience that feels curated, waste-conscious, and deeply personal. Looking ahead, how do you envision India's role in redefining luxury through heritage-driven, handcrafted exports like yours? India's design potential lies in its ability to blend legacy with narrative. Handcrafted exports like ours reflect a shift from fast consumption to conscious, culturally rooted luxury. With the right storytelling, Indian artistry can lead the next wave of global design influence. Several brands have already shown the world how Indian design can be both rooted and globally relevant. Each of them celebrates tradition, but with a refined design language that speaks to the modern consumer. At Studio Abrash, we see ourselves as part of that movement and establish a name next to Indian luxury. DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Indian Express
After actress Ranya Rao, key accused Sahil Jain gets statutory bail in Bengaluru gold smuggling case
A key accused in a gold smuggling case that unravelled following the March 3 arrest of Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru airport by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) was granted statutory bail on Wednesday by a special court for economic offences. The Bengaluru court granted statutory bail to Sahil Sakariya Jain, 27, who is accused of being a key facilitator for a gold smuggling syndicate operating in India, after the DRI did not file a chargesheet under the Customs Act of 1962 at the end of 60 days following his March 26 arrest in the Karnataka capital. On May 20 the special court granted bail under similar conditions to Ranya Rao, alias Harshavardini Ranya, 33, and her close associate Tarun Konduru alias Virat Konduru, 36, a Telugu actor arrested on March 9 for smuggling gold in connivance with the actress. However, the two actors and Sahil Jain, an alleged gold/hawala dealer, will not be released from prison as the Ministry of Finance issued executive orders on April 22 for their preventive detention for a year under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act 1974. The special court for economic offences noted in its bail order for Sahil Jain that 'the said accused No.3 (Sahil Jain) is in judicial custody for more than 60 days and till date the prosecution has not filed the final report'. 'The submissions of the complainant agency (DRI) as to the accused being served with the detention order under the provisions of COFEPOSA Act 1974 in itself will not be the ground to deny the right vested with the accused No.3 as per the section 187 (3) (ii) of BNSS,' the court observed. The court ruled that Sahil Jain 'is entitled to default bail as contemplated u/sec. 187 (3) (ii) of BNSS, as till date the prosecution/complainant has not chosen to file the complaint in the case on hand,' the court said. He can be released on bail on execution of a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties and should not violate bail conditions, the court ruled. Sahil Jain was arrested on March 26 by the DRI after he was identified during investigations as the intended recipient of 14.2 kg of gold allegedly smuggled from Dubai by Ranya Rao in association with Virat Konduru. Ranya Rao was arrested following her arrival from Dubai with gold valued at Rs 12.56 crore, which was concealed on her body. On March 9, the DRI arrested Virat Konduru, a US passport holder, after he was identified as the actress's accomplice in the gold smuggling racket. The DRI has alleged that Sahil Jain played a central role in disposing of 49.6 kg of gold worth Rs 40.13 crore smuggled from Dubai by Ranya Rao between November 2024 and February 2025. He allegedly transferred Rs 39.39 crore of her earnings to Dubai. The DRI has alleged that Sahil Jain is part of a sophisticated smuggling network operating in India and abroad and that a prosecution complaint was filed against him by the agency in a Kolkata court on March 5, 2022, in a case involving the smuggling of 41.64 kg of gold. The CBI and the ED are also investigating the gold smuggling case from criminal and money-laundering angles and have registered cases in this regard. The ED recently searched properties including offices of an education trust belonging to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on the grounds that there had been monetary transactions between the trust and Ranya Rao. The trust headquartered in Tumkur is alleged to have paid Rs 40 lakh towards her credit card bills. The CBI registered an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 along with the BNS section for criminal conspiracy on March 7 on the basis of a letter written by DRI Director-General Abhai Kumar Srivastav. According to the letter to CBI Director Praveen Sood, two foreigners (an Omani and an UAE national) were arrested at Mumbai airport on March 6 while trying to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold valued at Rs 18.92 crore from Dubai. The foreigners had arrived at the airport on multiple earlier occasions as well, the DRI chief's letter said. Since the DRI arrested Ranya Rao, who had also travelled multiple times to Dubai allegedly for gold smuggling, the two cases are similar, the agency has stated. 'The above two cases detected in quick succession involving passengers making trips from Dubai, the attempted smuggling of large quantities of gold into India and the high frequency of these visits involving Indian and foreign nationals, points to a possible nexus with coordinated smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE),' says the DRI chief's letter to the CBI director.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Indian Express
Probe into Bengaluru gold smuggling case indicates possible links to proclaimed offender in 2013 Delhi airport case
Investigations into a gold smuggling racket involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao alias Harshavardhini Ranya, 33, have revealed possible links between a hawala dealer arrested in the case and a proclaimed offender in a major gold smuggling case detected at the Delhi international airport in 2013. Sources indicated that hawala dealer Sahil Sakariya Jain, 27, who is accused of being the receiver of 49.6 kg of gold worth over Rs 40 crore smuggled from Dubai by the actress from November 2024 to February 2025, is linked to a man who was arrested in 2013 at the Delhi airport for smuggling 36.56 kg of gold in the baggage of a UAE embassy official. On March 11, 2013, a Delhi-based jewellery businessman Komal Jain, aged around 50, was detained at the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi on the basis of intelligence gathered by the DRI on his alleged involvement in gold smuggling using an UAE embassy official as a courier. The businessman, who arrived on a flight from Singapore, was found to be in possession of documents for the purchase of over 30 kg of gold jewellery while checks conducted by DRI officials on the baggage of a UAE embassy official who arrived on the same flight revealed the presence of 36.56 kg of gold worth Rs 9.79 crore at the time. The next day, DRI arrested Komal for smuggling gold while the UAE official, who enjoyed diplomatic immunity from arrest, was sent back to Dubai by the UAE authorities. Subsequently, on June 11, 2013, Komal was detained under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) on the basis of an order issued by the central government's Department of Revenue. While Komal was held in preventive detention under COFEPOSA, a habeas corpus petition was moved in the Delhi High Court for his release by his son, who identified himself as Sahil Jain. 'Petitioner Sahil Jain has approached this Court for issuance of a writ of habeas corpus for release of his father Komal Jain, who has been ordered to be detained and kept in custody in the Central Jail, Tihar by an order dated 11.06.2013 issued under Section 3 (1) of the COFEPOSA Act by the Joint Secretary to the Govt of India,' the court noted in a November 13, 2013, order for the release of Komal Jain. DRI sources said that the Sahil Jain who filed the habeas corpus plea is in all probability the same person who has now been detained under COFEPOSA for being the receiver of the gold smuggled from Dubai by Ranya Rao. In the records of the Bengaluru case involving Ranya Rao, the hawala dealer Sahil Jain arrested on March 26, 2025, has been identified as the son of one Mahendra Kumar Jain, a businessman from Bellary in Karnataka. However, sources said, 'There is the possibility of a different name being used.' Incidentally, the gold smuggling suspect Komal Jain disappeared following his release from detention under COFEPOSA in November 2013. The DRI case and a money laundering case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are still pending with the Patiala House Courts in Delhi. 'NBWs issued against the accused (Komal Jain) were received back unexecuted with report of Assistant Enforcement Officer that he visited the address of accused, where Mr Sahil Jain, son of accused, met them and stated that accused is not staying there and has not visited the said address for the last three/four years and he does not know the whereabouts of the accused,' a special court for ED cases noted in its order on September 24, 2018. The missing Komal Jain was declared a proclaimed offender by a special court for DRI cases in Delhi on January 27, 2020, and is yet to appear in court for the pending trial in the case. Komal Jain was also accused in a 2009 gold smuggling case by the customs authorities after he allegedly used the front of a gold jewellery business at Noida SEZ to bring in finished gold jewellery from big firms instead of exporting it after importing impure gold. A DRI search at a business unit called Vee Ess Jewellers Pvt Ltd, operated by Komal Jain in New Delhi in 2009, led to the seizure of 41.31 kg of gold jewellery worth Rs 5.57 crore at the time. The DRI had accused Komal and others of a conspiracy to smuggle high-end gold jewellery into India from Dubai, Sharjah and Singapore in the guise of duty-free import of raw materials to an SEZ unit for the manufacture of gold jewellery for exports. The 2009 case against Komal, however, did not sustain in the courts. In the current gold smuggling case in Bengaluru, the DRI has identified Sahil Jain, 27 – who has gold smuggling cases registered against him in Mumbai and Kolkata during 2019-2022 – as a key operative in a larger smuggling network. The agency has stated in court filings that Sahil is part of a 'highly sophisticated gold smuggling network' which needs to be further investigated. Ranya Rao, co-accused Telugu actor Virat Konduru alias Tarun Konduru, and Sahil are under detention for a year under COFEPOSA after the Union government issued an order on April 22 for their detention to prevent involvement in further gold smuggling activities. According to DRI sources, Sahil's father (Komal Jain/Mahendra Kumar Jain) is currently not being sought by the agency in the Bengaluru gold smuggling case. Advocate C V Siju, who has been appearing for Sahil Jain in the current gold smuggling case in Bengaluru, said DRI did not question Sahil's father in the Bengaluru case. The Sahil Jain arrested in Bengaluru was also allegedly involved in a major gold smuggling racket operating out of Kolkata in 2019-2020 and was named in a DRI prosecution complaint in Kolkata in 2022, the agency has stated in court. In the 2019-2020 period, the DRI received intelligence that a smuggling syndicate operating from Kolkata, Mumbai and Raipur was smuggling foreign-marked gold from Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh borders of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. Based on the intelligence, the DRI carried out operations to recover the smuggled gold and intercepted persons carrying smuggled gold in Kolkata, Raipur and Mumbai, leading to the recovery of 41.64 kg of gold. Initially, one of the gold carriers who was found with 6.98 kg of gold in Mumbai in December 2019 reported that the intended receiver of the gold was Sahil Jain, who was living in Mumbai at the time. Jain was arrested by the DRI and found to be a key player in the smuggling racket. In Bengaluru, the DRI has stated that Sahil Jain was the intended receiver of 14.2 kg of gold valued at Rs 12.56 crore that was found on the person of Ranya on March 3 at the Bengaluru airport on her arrival from Dubai. The smuggling of the 14.2 kg of gold would have resulted in customs duty evasion of Rs 4.83 crore, the DRI has stated. Prior to Ranya's arrest, the hawala dealer Sahil Jain was involved in receiving 49.6 kg of smuggled gold valued at Rs 40.13 crore from the actress following visits to Dubai between November 2024 to February 2025, the DRI has stated. The hawala dealer has claimed that he only received a commission of Rs 55,000 for every consignment of smuggled gold he received from the actress in Bengaluru and for facilitating the transfer of funds from the sales to Dubai.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
Bengaluru gold smuggling case: Centre orders detention of actors Ranya Rao, Virat Konduru for a year under Cofeposa Act
The Centre has issued orders for detention of Kannada film actor Ranya Rao alias Harshavardini Ranya, 34, Telugu actor Virat Konduru alias Tarun Konduru Raju, 36, and businessman Sahil Sakariya Jain, 26, under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (Cofeposa) Act, 1974. The order for the detention of Ranya Rao and her associates under the Cofeposa Act was issued by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Finance on April 22, on the request of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The Cofeposa Act detention order effectively means that Ranya Rao, Konduru, and Jain, who were arrested in March for alleged gold smuggling activities, will remain in prison for up to a year, even if they are granted bail by the courts for the Customs Act violation cases against them. Ranya Rao was intercepted by DRI at the Bengaluru International Airport on arrival from Dubai on March 3, 2025, with 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore concealed on her person. The DRI investigations after the arrest of the actress revealed that Ranya Rao was assisted in passing the gold through Dubai customs by Virat Konduru by using his US citizen credentials, and that the smuggled gold was handed to hawala businessman Sahil Jain in India for disposal. The DRI recently told the Karnataka High Court that the three were part of a gold smuggling syndicate which had smuggled 100 kg of gold into India since 2024 – apart from the 14.2 kg of gold worth that was seized on March 3 when Ranya Rao was intercepted. According to the April 22 order issued by a joint secretary of the Union Government for the detention of the actress under Cofeposa, Ranya Rao 'will be detained and kept in Central Prison Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru.' DRI sources said that similar orders have been issued for the detention of Tarun Konduru and Sahil Jain under the Cofeposa Act. According to statements placed in the courts by the DRI in connection with the investigations of the gold smuggling racket, hawala dealer Sahil Jain has a history of gold smuggling and is named in a DRI complaint in Kolkata for being part of a syndicate that smuggled over 115 kg of gold from Bangladesh in 2019. The Cofeposa Act allows the Government of India to place under preventive detention individuals who are considered to be a threat to foreign exchange conservation through their involvement in smuggling activities. The law allows the detention of persons who are involved in smuggling, abetting smuggling, transporting, concealing, or keeping smuggled goods, or abetting the concealing of smuggled goods, up to a maximum period of one year from the date of detention. The Cofeposa Act can be invoked even when a person is in judicial custody, as is the case with actress Ranya Rao and her associates. Rao, Konduru, and Jain have all filed bail pleas in courts, and the two arrested actors are awaiting the verdict of the Karnataka High Court in their bail pleas – which are expected to be taken up next week, while Jain has approached a sessions court. The DRI has reported in remand applications that the actress smuggled as much as 49.6 kg of gold valued at over Rs 40 crore from Dubai between November 2024 and February 2025 (apart from the 14.2 kg of gold that was seized on March 3). The actress is alleged to have handed over the contraband to Sahil Jain, who paid for the consignments through hawala transfers to Dubai and India. The DRI has claimed to have found evidence – through customs declarations and investigations of the accused – of as many as 11 of 31 trips undertaken by the actors to Dubai in 2024-25 involving smuggling of gold. The quantum of gold smuggled by the syndicate has been estimated to be to the tune of over 100 kg by the DRI in arguments in the high court.
