Ranya Rao’s husband files for divorce amid gold smuggling case

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 3, 2025: Ranya Rao Case: While Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been making headlines in connection to the gold smuggling case, her husband, Jatin Hukkeri, has now decided to get separated from her. Recently, Jatin held a press conference where he revealed that he will file for divorce from Ranya.

“Since the day we got married, I have been enduring pain and distress. Today, I have made the decision to file for divorce," he said, as quoted by Times Now.

Interestingly, the gold smuggling case has also brought increased scrutiny on Rao’s husband. Police have alleged that he frequently travelled with the actress to Dubai, from where she allegedly smuggled gold.

Who is Jatin Hukkeri?

Hukkeri married Ranya Rao in a high-profile marriage around four months ago at Taj West End, after which they settled into a high-end apartment in Bengaluru’s upscale Lavelle Road. Hukkeri is an architect by profession, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Interior Design from RV College of Engineering in Bengaluru. He pursued further studies at the Royal College of Art – Executive Education, London, specialising in Disruptive Market Innovation.

Who is Ranya Rao? How is she linked to gold smuggling case?

Rao, the stepdaughter of Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, was under the radar of authorities due to frequent travel to Dubai. She allegedly travelled to the city 30 times over the past year, and four times in 15 days, bringing back kilos of gold each time.

Ranya was arrested by the authorities at the Bengaluru airport in March this year. Following her arrest, the Bengaluru Directorate of Revenue Intelligence recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her Bengaluru home during raids.

In her arrest memo, accessed by CNN-News18, DRI said Rao had purchased gold in Dubai on November 13 and December 20, and declared that she was headed for Geneva. But she arrived in India, according to the arrest memo. Rao has admitted that before her arrest, she brought gold from Dubai to India on at least two earlier occasions. DRI officials believe that she evaded customs duty worth around Rs 4.83 crore.

Rao’s bail plea has been rejected three times as of now.