Ranya Rao’s Bail Plea Rejected In Gold Smuggling Case; Actress’ Husband Obtains Interim Order To Prevent Arrest

A special court today denied bail to actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested for smuggling a significant quantity of gold. A second suspect, Tarun Raju, has been placed in judicial custody for 15 days. Authorities seized gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore from Rao at Bengaluru airport. Following this, officials searched her properties and discovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.

Ranya Rao’s Bail Plea Rejected By Special Court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated an investigation into the case yesterday, which involves Rao and her stepfather, Karnataka Director General of Police K. Ramachandra Rao. Ranya Rao purchased round-trip tickets from Bengaluru to Dubai using her husband Jatin Hukkeri’s credit card. It raised questions about his potential involvement in the smuggling operation.

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Additionally, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted searches at nine locations in Bengaluru related to Mr Hukkeri, who has obtained an interim order from the Karnataka High Court preventing his arrest. Investigators reported that Ranya Rao claimed to have received calls from unknown numbers instructing her to smuggle the gold. During her interrogation, she mentioned learning how to hide gold through YouTube videos.

Ranya Explains How She Smuggled Gold

Ranya stated that she was directed to collect the gold from Gate A of Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport. She said a tall man in a gown handed it over to her. She insisted this was her first smuggling attempt and that she had no prior experience. Rao typically used VIP channels to exit Bengaluru airport. She was escorted directly to the exit by a protocol officer, allowing her to avoid the thorough checks that regular passengers undergo.

Recent Developments In The Case

According to The Indian Express, Rao’s stepfather, a senior IPS officer and DGP, had previously been linked to a gold robbery involving a consignment from Kerala to Karnataka over a decade ago. Although he was later transferred, no official action was taken against him. On March 10, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms in Karnataka assigned Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta to investigate the alleged misuse of official privileges and protocol benefits by Rao, with her stepfather being a central figure in the inquiry.

Also Read: Karnataka Govt Withdraws Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case From CID Probe; Actress’ Stepfather Admits Being In Shock

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.