India, March 25 -- Kannada actor Ranya Rao has admitted to using the illegal 'hawala' channel for transferring funds to buy gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told a court on Tuesday. The actor was arrested earlier this month for her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case.

Advocate Madhu Rao of the DRI asserted that the accused had admitted to the financial transaction being conducted via unofficial means, PTI reported.

After the confession, the authorities initiated action and issued a notice under Section 108 of the Customs Act for a judicial inquiry into the matter. The proceedings are reportedly a part of a judicial probe and not a police interrogation, as mandated by the invoked section.

The authorities are ...