A special court for economic offences in Bengaluru has denied bail to actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case. The ruling was delivered by Special Judge Vishwanath Gowdar, though the detailed order is yet to be released.
Ranya was apprehended by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3, with 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.86 crore concealed in her belt and jacket. Authorities allege that she used the VIP route to bypass customs checks. A subsequent raid at her residence led to the seizure of jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and cash amounting to ₹2.67 crore, bringing the total seizure in the case to ₹17.29 crore.
Her legal counsel, Senior Advocate Kiran Javali, argued that the arrest was unlawful, citing non-compliance with Section 102 of the Customs Act and procedural lapses. However, the prosecution, led by Senior Standing Counsel Madhu N Rao, maintained that the smuggling network is extensive and requires thorough investigation.
Ranya remains in judicial custody for 15 days as forensic reports are awaited. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has prohibited media from making defamatory statements about her stepfather, senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, and restrained action against her husband, Jatin Vijayakumar Hukkeri.